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Volume 11, Issue 7 — April 5, 2013
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Sometimes, It Is Life and Death
By Scott Tiner
rAVe Columnist On March 25th in Alabama, a true tragedy took place. A digital sign installed in an airport came crashing down on a family. It killed a 10-year-old boy and injured his mother and two brothers. You can read about the accident on rAVe’s site here.
Before I go any further, I wanted to make clear that there are still a lot of unknowns. I don’t intend this article to point fingers or place blame. I do think there is an appropriate time and place for that, but I don’t have enough information. Rather, I hope we take a moment to reflect on this incident and recognize that sometimes what we do can be the difference between life and death.
On several of the mail lists that I participate, we get the occasional ridiculous picture of a horrible AV install. We all make jokes about it, which in many cases is appropriate. Have you seen the picture of a satellite dish attached to a shopping cart? That deserves a good laugh. Then, every now and again the picture will come across that will make you shiver. These are the images of projectors secured with duct tape or sitting in a milk crate hanging from rachet straps. Or this picture, of a LCD panel hanging on by, I don’t know what, clear tape?
Hopefully, a tragedy like this can remind us that not only should we not laugh at these dangerous installs, but we should also condemn them. For the readership of this particular newsletter, think about who is sitting under that projector, screen or speaker — probably a child, ranging in age from 6 to 21. That’s someone who implicitly trusts that that 10-pound projector will not fall from 15 feet onto them. We need to respect that trust.
We did a project a few years ago where we installed nine classrooms, each one with a suspended ceiling. We used a product we love, the Extron PCM 240. The mounts were handed off to the general contractor, who had a carpenter install them. Every system comes with turnbuckles and 60 feet of safety wire. The intention of this, of course, is to take the main weight off the suspended grid, and place it on firm support structures above. Obviously, it also ensures the system will not fall if some part of the ceiling fails. In walking through the rooms after, we found all the turnbuckles and wire in boxes on the floor. They had not used the safety equipment. Obviously, we made them go back and put in these safety features.
Today, I question what would have happened if the equipment had been thrown away, rather than left in the room? Would we have thought to look above the tile and ensure the wires were connected to solid structure? I don’t know the answer to that question, but I hope that going forward the memory of what happened here forces us to check on such things. Even if it is “someone else’s job,” when it comes to safety why not take a moment to do that double check?
Incidents like this give a clear logic for standards and accreditations. I spoke with a fellow technology manager, Greg Brown, who holds both the CTS-I and the CTS-D certifications. Greg told me that the CTS-I exam covers some of the safety issues an installer needs to know, like safe weight loads. Greg also pointed out that “we’ve lost an appreciation for the due diligence our work requires living in a world of 10-pound projectors. Back when we regularly hung 200-pound, three-gun CRT projectors above audiences, it was pretty obvious a careless install could kill someone.” Greg makes a terrific point, and I would go further to say that this does not just cover integrators and installers, but it also includes (maybe even more so) those of us in education who do our own installs.
Another example from my personal experience is with installing a projector lift in our field house. I knew that I did not have the engineering knowledge to properly spec out how the lift should be installed and secured. I turned to the engineers in our Facility Services group. They also felt unsure of their expertise in this matter. They turned to a local engineering firm, and a local sheet fabricator to come up with a system to secure the lift to the steel beams in the field house. The experience was slower and more expensive, but we know that the lift is secure and will not fall onto people. It also highlights Greg’s point: We knew that we needed to be sure with a 400-pound contraption that it was safe, so we took the extra steps. A small speaker or projector may not seem as dangerous, but I am not volunteering to stand under a falling one.
So, do you have any lingering safety concerns about installed equipment? Is there that one screen hanging from just sheetrock? Is there a projector secured only to a suspended ceiling? If so, take a moment now and make plans to fix it. You may save a life without even knowing.
Scott Tiner, CTS, has worked in the AV/IT field in public K-12, private K-12 and higher education institutions. With a BS in Secondary Education from the Boston University School of Education, he has a deep interest in the use of various types of technology in the classroom. Currently, as the assistant director of user services: digital media, classroom technology & event support at Bates College, Scott designs learning spaces, oversees event support and staging and manges all video streaming on campus. Scott also oversees the Digital Media Center. The Digital Media Center provides support and instruction on all video and audio editing on campus.??
Scott is very active in the field, having presented at both regional and national conferences. In 2011, he was appointed as chair of the Technology Managers Council of InfoComm. Scott can be contacted via LinkedIn, on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stiner or via email at stiner08@gmail.com
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InfoComm: Project Admin Support: Overhead or Force Multiplier?
By Brad Malone Before anyone thinks I’m denigrating the importance of the administrative support function at an AV company, please read this entire post. I’ve worked with hundreds of firms and trained thousands of project managers, and I often see the project manager’s role full up with administrative tasks. These are in addition to (and sometimes instead of) important project management functions, such as making travel reservations for themselves and their project team; making copies of documents and getting them to the correct people; spending an inordinate amount of time in Outlook scheduling meetings; or taking minutes in those meetings and ensuring they get to the participants.
Important tasks? Absolutely.
But if project managers are busy doing these important tasks, what are they not doing? Proactively coordinating the interdependencies among a project’s subcontractors; ensuring that the deliverables preceding their teams’ tasks are on-schedule to be completed; identifying, assessing, preventing and/or responding to risk events; keeping all of the key stakeholder’s expectations aligned; managing the integrity of the performance management baselines; and requesting and implementing change requests when necessary.
Too many small and mid-sized (and some large) companies eliminate their project administrative support staff because they see it as a cost savings — a way to cut their overhead. They then add all those administrative tasks to the project manager’s role and assume they will magically get done. Now the project manager has two jobs, and in my experience, administrative tasks are not high on a project manager’s wish list or skill set. Especially for project managers who come from a technical background.
So what’s the myth of this overhead? I would much rather have a project coordinator or administrator, billing a project at $20 to $25 an hour, working on that first list of tasks, than have a project manager, billing out at $80 to $100 an hour, fulfilling those same tasks. Not to mention most good project coordinators can support more than one project manager.
Companies that utilize their project administrative staff well, and bill them to the project, usually see a cost savings to the project because it frees up the project manager to go and proactively solve problems and/or dramas, which typically increase the ultimate cost of a project.
So I’d like companies to consider: What’s really the role of a mature project manager? And what’s the true value of a project coordinator?
This column was reprinted with permission from InfoComm and originally appeared here.
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Display Makers Must Stay Close to End-Users
By David Barnes
DisplayDaily Four recent news stories illustrate why display makers must stay close to end-users.
- Panasonic may exit the TV business
- Sharp missed Qualcomm’s targets for investment
- CPT is repurchasing the assets it sold to Giantplus
- Samsung advances mobile AMOLED technology to FHD
Nikkei in Japan published unattested reports that Panasonic would exit the TV business entirely over the weekend. Similar rumors have been circulating for some time and several analysts note that the new president of Panasonic earned his way to the top by making tough decisions, such as closing two of its three plasma TV plants in 2011. In January, Panasonic announced the closure of its plant in Shanghai. Earlier this month, projections published by DisplaySearch indicated Panasonic is reducing production of LCD TV panels, also. Panasonic’s panel output was 10.4 million in 2011, but its output in 2013 is expected to be only 4.0 million. The projection for Panasonic LCD TV sets remains flat at 10.5 million in 2012 and 2013, however. Apparently, Panasonic is managing costs by buying panels from other producers.
Looking at financial results from AU Optronics (AUO) and LG Display (LGD) from 2004 through 2012 shows why Panasonic may be smart to buy rather than make TV panels. The chart converts consolidated financial results for both producers into US dollars at year-end and adds those together. Over nine years, their combined free cash flow was minus $871 million. The leading merchant LCD suppliers put more money into the ground than they dredged up with all that hard work. Standing outside the money pit, it makes sense to buy the panels at a discount to full cost rather than dig your own hole.
Over the nine years, the sales price per square inch of LCD decreased 15 percent a year for the two suppliers combined while their EBITDA (profit without depreciation or tax charges) per square inch decreased 23 percent a year. Given the pace of price reduction, even with the improving market for mobile panels, their area cost remains about 7 percent too high for sustaining a profit margin.
Given the commodity pressures on TV prices worldwide, it is unclear how a traditional electronics company makes money in TV, even if it stays close to its distribution channels. We have already seen old-line firms such as Philips divest its TV assets and it seems likely that Panasonic will follow that lead. The market belongs to younger companies in lower-cost regions with less need for financial returns to satisfy Wall Street or The City.
The problem for Sharp is similar but it has less control over product plans and technology objectives beyond its branded TV market. In the past, when Sharp had stronger positions in the gadget market, the company was able to coordinate technology and end-product plans between its panel and gadget businesses. With the rise of Apple and Samsung, Sharp has less control. The panel business is farther from its end users.
Stories about Qualcomm pulling back from its second round of investment in Sharp this week highlight this problem. Apparently, Sharp missed some milestones regarding the metal-oxide TFT work for Pixtronics’ MEM display project. As we saw with delays for metal-oxide LCD last year, perfecting new semiconductor technology is not easy and its harder if the supplier faces external deadlines. This is a difficult period for Sharp as it becomes more dependent on outside investment while its end-user markets are a step beyond Sharp’s customers (e.g., Samsung).
Getting closer to end-users seems to be a good explanation for recent machinations by Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT). Back in 2007, CPT announced the sale of its Gen-3 LCD line to Giantplus for cash and stock. That made sense if CPT was able to establish a strong position in large panels while Giantplus supplied small touch screens.
CPT has done better in the small panel business, however. As a result, it is better off in high-touch market segments; so selling its TV module line in Shenzhen to CSOT (a TCL affiliate) and buying its Gen-3 line back makes sense.
Samsung’s introduction of full-HD in the Galaxy S4 illustrates the value of coordination to me. The display business (SDC) was able to use PenTile technology for a mosaic-like pixel pattern that achieves something like 400 ppi resolution. The Samsung group had to change several things in the AMOLED process as well as the overall display-product design to map this new space. That would have been much more difficult and could have been riskier if the display and product businesses had not been affiliates.
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Share Article Back to Top Harvard Shows the Way for 3D in Education
By Steve Sechrist
DisplayDaily The use of 3D in Education or 3D in Ed is having a dramatic impact on displaying some very old data and offering new perspectives and insights in the process. Researchers at Harvard, including Egyptologist Dr. Peter der Manuelian, the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences’ Visualization Facility, and the Boston Museum of Fine Art are getting some help from 3D Modeling Software pioneer Dassault Systems (Boston, Mass.) in a “world’s first attempt…” They now have a complete map, plan and model, of the famous Giza Plateau according to Harvard’s Professor Der Manuelian. His Giza Plateau 3D model was developed in collaboration with Dassault (3D modeling software)
To do this, the group has included ancient data collected on glass plates from more than one hundred years ago and incorporate this into the new age display technology that pushes the boundaries of presentation forms into the realm of 3D. The immersive experience 3D provides is unique, offering a teaching tool that can be acquired nowhere else, going beyond traditional lectures and PowerPoint slide presentations. ”We thought it would be a great way to try to bring the students in and expose them to Giza at a scale and in a way that they just they just can’t experience in a regular classroom,” Der Manuelian said.
The Harvard Earth and Planetary Sciences’ Visualization Facility includes:
- 23'x8' 3D cylindrical display (curved screen)
- Three edge-blended, high-resolution active stereo digital (Christie Mirage 2000) projectors
- 3D-Perceptions scaling unit (for edge-blending, geometry correction)
- Content source — Linux based O/S, 4 dual-core Opteron CPUs plus 128GB RAM, Nvidia Quadroplex D2
- Alternative content source — ScalableGraphics Windows DTC cluster, three Dell Precison PC (workstation), dual CPU, 48GB RAM, Nvidia FX Pro 5800, Mellanox Infiniband tertiary Linux image sources
- Stereo Graphics/RealD CrystalEyes Stereo Viewing eyewear
But it’s what’s taking place beyond the hardware that is perhaps impacting education most, developing virtual environments on what Manuelian calls “real archeology” with content gleaned from multiple sources from long-running expeditions like the (1905 to 1947) monumental work done by Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and directed by George Reisner. Over that forty-year period at “Harvard Camp” in the Giza plateau, Reisner collected “…thousands and thousands of glass plate photographic negatives, thousands of pages of notes, diaries, architectural plans, drawings and other recording systems,” Manuelian noted, and now being used to bring his present coursework to life.
The interim step came over the past 10 years, with help from the Mellon Foundation, to convert the vast body of Reisner’s work to digital. But the point is not to just converting this mountain of research into digital data, it’s applying the knowledge, converting data into understanding and new academic insights generated from a collaborative experience. This is perhaps where 3D in education can play a significant role and make a lasting contribution.
“Relationships are what come to the forefront when you’re able to view Giza in this kind of 3D environment,” Der Manuelian said. ”…just how big the pyramids are, where the streets and alleyways have been built, the large and small ones. More importantly, the matrix relationships are so key to studying these archeological sites,” he said. This comprehensive view gives researchers ”…a feel for those relationships. You can get a sense of what’s above ground… we can dive underground and do things that no mortal can do,” he said of his use of 3D in education.
We think the future of 3D in education is wide open as it has already begun to attract a new generation of students, familiar and comfortable with cutting-edge technology now presenting “ancient” data in brand new ways. Researchers like Peter der Manuelian see the use of 3D technology as “…the next logical extension” in education, a technology that can “…link all this material together,” as evidenced by his new millennium course work at Harvard breathing new excitement and lifeblood into the field. And perhaps more importantly, new discoveries from 3D’s new perspective on data resurrected from a lifetime of dedication in Reisner’s great body of work; not to mention the untold treasures of research still waiting in dusty academic halls for its time of resurrection in the new 3D immersive experience sunlight.
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Burkhardt’s Soundcast Deal Falls Apart Jeremy Burkhardt needs to watch out if bad luck comes in threes… First his altercation with Nortek drives him from SpeakerCraft. Now his acquisition of Soundcast has fallen through.
Although he sounded genuinely enthusiastic about the purchase, Burkhardt let a 90-day deal-or-no-deal deadline pass by without completing the deal.
Sources say Burkhardt had the money to close the deal, but the owners got nervous (and perhaps greedy for independence as well as money). While the deal was going down, the company's first two Bluetooth products got a good reception without Burkhardt’s intervention.
That reception convinced Soundcast they could quickly double the company’s sales. The company's portable Melody AC/DC Bluetooth weather-proof speakers will stream music wirelessly via proprietary 2.4GHz technology from a PC or from a tabletop iPod/iPhone dock up to 300 feet away. The other product is a Bluetooth dongle that plugs into existing indoor/outdoor Outcast speakers.
The products, the company's CEO claims, “will be a game-changer for us.” And the management says they have infused the company with capital (but don't really explain how).
Sidelined Burkhardt says, “Things like this happen, and I respect the management team’s decision to not extend the deadline. The past few months have been amazing working with people and products that I love, and my passion for the industry has never been so strong.”
Sounds like there were some flexible terms in the initial agreement to sell that needed solid numbers added and the more the owners thought about it, the more they realized they didn’t really want to sell. Perhaps that reticence expresses itself in more aggressive terms that exceeded what Burkhardt wanted.
Soundcast is here: http://www.soundcastsystems.com/
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InfoComm University Plans 300+ Educational Sessions During InfoComm 2013 InfoComm 2013 will provide educational opportunities to more than 3,500 of the 35,000 professionals expected to attend this year’s week-long event, June 8-14 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. InfoComm University offers career-advancing training and certifications, and InfoComm partner organizations and manufacturers will provide additional training sessions to round out the educational offerings. More than half of the classes in this year’s Show program are new.
InfoComm University Tracks
InfoComm University offers a comprehensive range of programs to address the diverse skills and interests of attendees. It includes:
- Pre-Show Education — three-day “total immersion” technical courses
- Super Tuesday — full day sessions prior to the show floor opening, including the popular Future Trends
- Daybreak Sessions — designed to tackle training subjects before the show floor opens
- Seminars and Workshops — one-and-a-half to two-hour seminars focus on AV systems and technology, and special four-hour workshops on everything from networking for AV professionals to incorporating video streaming and managing an AV department
- AV Tech Tours — tours of top AV installations in Orlando
The following topics will be covered during the Super Tracks at InfoComm 2013:
- AV Systems Technology
- Networked AV Systems
- Business & Management
- Technology Manager
- Staging and Live Events
- Digital Signage
- First Timers
- Standards
On Tuesday, June 11, InfoComm University presents Super Tuesday, an all-day exchange of ideas and best practices. Classes with new content include:
- Women in Technology Symposium
- Unified Communications and Collaboration
- Wireless Trends
- Technology Managers Symposium
- Digital Image Content in Live Event Production
- CTS-D & CTS-I Symposium, focusing on the AV Systems Verification Checklist
- Future Trends
- Business Leadership Workshop
Partner training opportunities are scheduled to occur before and during the event and include the following education tracks: 3D Comm, DisplaySearch, IMCCA, Projection Summit, Realcomm/IBCon, SynAudCon and Technologies for Worship. In addition, more than 30 leading manufacturers will offer 60 sessions on specific audiovisual products and solutions.
InfoComm 2013, the largest commercial audiovisual show, expects 35,000 attendees including commercial service providers and end-user technology managers from wide-ranging market sectors, including business, government, military, education, worship, healthcare, hospitality, retail and entertainment.
Register for InfoComm today using code MCTRA at http://www.infocommshow.org
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Share Article Back to Top New Invenshare Website Helps Integrators Share Overstock Inventory Lists In a perfect world, you would run your business with a 100 percent just-in-time inventory system,where you order only what customers have purchased and only when you need it. But unfortunately, that's not realistic. Through project change orders, swap-outs and exchanges, repairs, manufacturer purchase incentives and other unforeseen circumstances, you end up with unwanted inventory sitting on shelves doing nothing but collecting dust and tying up your cash. Invenshare.com, developed by systems integrators for systems integrators, is a new private, online marketplace that connects dealers’ inventory in the cloud. You can easily and quickly add your excess and unwanted inventory. When you need something, instantly search by manufacturer or model number. When you find what you need, you can purchase, make an offer, or even offer to TRADE for the product you need. It’s all built into the InvenShare.com. system. Integrators can get more information and view videos on how it works at www.Invenshare.com.
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Share Article Back to Top InfoComm and the American Institute of Architects Complete AV Overhaul at AIA Headquarters InfoComm International and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) announced the completion of a major upgrade to audiovisual systems at the AIA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The project was the result of a collaboration between InfoComm and the AIA in which InfoComm members donated products and services to address the AIA's changing technology needs.
"This project provided an opportunity for the audiovisual and architectural associations to work together and demonstrated the types of professional collaborations that our members are capable of," said David Labuskes, executive director and CEO, InfoComm International. "Technology solutions that are coordinated closely among AV professionals, architects, and clients consistently outperform systems that are not and result in exceptional experiences."
The AIA required significant upgrades to the audiovisual systems in its boardroom and adjacent areas. Not only does the AIA hold its own meetings and events in the spacious, irregularly-shaped room, it also rents the space to nearby organizations.
"Our board members, most of whom are architects, are visual people," said Richard James, chief operating officer of the AIA. "Our interest was in updating the quality of the technology in our boardroom, which can be an expensive task. InfoComm and its partners worked with our technical staff to determine exactly what we needed and then found a group of willing donors of the necessary equipment. We appreciate their very generous contributions."
The process began in November 2010, when InfoComm issued a request for proposals to it members. K2 Audio, of Boulder, Colo., was chosen to perform the pro-bono design.
"Some of our biggest clients are architects, so it seemed like a nice way to give something back and at the same time showcase to them the capabilities we have as an AV design firm," said Deb Britton, K2 Audio's CEO and principal consultant. "As consultants, we frequently team with architects on design projects. We work with them on everything from churches, to schools, to performing arts centers, to corporate headquarters. In fact, it's more common than not that we work for an architect, as part of the design team, than the building owner. In those situations, we basically take the project from programming and schematic design to construction and administration."
K2 Audio grew out of Peak Audio in 2005. Peak Audio developed groundbreaking audiovisual technologies such as CobraNet, which became a popular standard for transmitting uncompressed, multichannel, digital audio over standard Ethernet networks. K2 Audio's long-time customers include the United States Senate and House of Representatives.
"It's not your typical boardroom, with a rectangular table and 20 people sitting around it," said K2 Audio Senior Consultant Rodrigo Ordóñez, CTS-D. "This is a large, round room with about 50 positions for AIA board members."
Among the upgrades was an overhaul of the boardroom's legacy conferencing system, which previously was not tied into its public address system. Program audio was routed to ceiling speakers throughout the space, but conference audio was limited to the room's speaking positions. "This meant that for people sitting in overflow areas and not at the speaking positions, there was no sound reinforcement," Ordóñez explained.
K2 Audio also included in its design a new videoconferencing system, which presented a significant opportunity to the AIA. "Introducing that capability increases the likelihood that we can rent the boardroom to outside parties," said James.
The project wrapped up in time for the AIA's December 2012 Board Meeting. Applied Visual Communications (AVC) of Herndon, Va., handled the installation and provided on-site support during the important meeting.
"The AIA was a great customer. They understood the technology, had a good handle on what they needed, and could vocalize it," said Dante Ross, CTS, project manager for AVC.
In addition to K2 Audio's design, the follow audio/video manufacturers donated equipment to the AIA project:
- Biamp Systems donated audio processing systems
- Chief Manufacturing donated display mounts
- Cisco Systems donated the videoconferencing system and network switch
- Da-Lite Screen Co. donated the boardroom's 16:9 projection screen
- Extron Electronics donated the control system, control panels, signal processing equipment
- Listen Technologies donated the assistive listening system
- Middle Atlantic Products donated equipment racks, cable management, and power strips
- projectiondesign donated a F82 Series, 10,000-lumen projector and lens
"We were very happy that it all came together before the December board meeting, because our Board selects the Architecture Firm and AIA Gold Medal recipients from among several finalists whose work is projected on-screen," said James. "During the meeting, AIA CEO Robert Ivy explained the features of the new systems and the thanked the companies that donated them. The significant improvements were very well received."
The AIA's new audiovisual system also now includes a modest digital signage network for announcements and room scheduling, which the AIA is considering expanding in order to route video sources from the boardroom to screens in other areas of the building.
"They were great to work with," said K2 Audio's Ordóñez. "Everyone was responsive. Once some of the high level design decisions were made, the technical designs went very smoothly."
Photos of the AIA boardroom and AV systems can be found on InfoComm's Flickr feed at bit.ly/InfoCommAIA.
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Share Article Back to Top Christie Unveils TruLife Electronics Platform Today Christie unveiled its latest electronics platform – Christie TruLife – with a proprietary, 1.2 Gigapixel per second, floating point architecture. Christie TruLife electronics forms the basis for the latest generation of projectors, which the company says is capable of delivering ultra high resolution, high frame rate video with high image fidelity (e.g., 4K resolution image processing at 60 fps and beyond). The current standard digital interfaces such as DVI have a bandwidth of 165 MHz.
With a high-performance electronics engine that leverages the latest in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuits (ICs), the platform is capable of supporting a video-processing pipeline of up to 1.2 Gigapixels per second (GPix/s). Christie projectors based on the new electronics platform will use this very high capacity image-processing power to deliver immersive, hyper-realistic video experiences.
Many industries will immediately benefit from this original video-processing electronics architecture, such as theme-park attractions, visualization “power walls” and flight simulation environments. Christie TruLife electronics can provide customers with realistic experiences, alleviating the image blurring and motion sickness that may accompany these environments.
A common measurement of video-processing power — the speed or rate with which video data is processed, is typically measured in Gigapixels per second (GPix/s). Christie says its platform scales to reach 1.2 GPix/s, which is nearly 10x faster than standard high-def projection and 4x faster than typical 3D projection, as well as double what other 4K projectors are capable of.
Launching throughout this year, Christie projectors featuring TruLife will enable 4K2K, Ultra-HD/Quad-HD resolutions today at 60 fps, and will have the capability to support higher resolutions and higher frame rates.
Christie’s new electronics platform will also facilitate the creation of new user experiences, automated setup, increased connectivity and “smart” control features enabling the next generation of collaborative, augmented reality and projection mapping applications.
For more information, click here: http://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/business/visual-solutions/pages/default.aspx
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BenQ Adds Large Venue Projector Line BenQ America Corp. today announced its new M7 Series of high-brightness, high-performance projectors. Designed for education and other large-venue settings, the product line comprised of the MX720, MW721, MX722, MX766, and MW767 features up to 4,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, contrast ratios extending to 13,000:1, and power-saving technology to cut energy consumption by up to 70 percent. The higher-end models include features such as USB camera integration and remote desktop capabilities to facilitate classroom management, wireless display for cable-free connections and projection templates to make presentations easier.
With 3,500 (MX720 and MW721), 4,000 (MX722 and MX766), and 4,200 (MW767) ANSI lumens of light, the projectors offer astounding brightness within any ambient light setting. The projectors feature XGA (MX720, MX722 and MX766) and WXGA (MW721 and MW767) native resolutions for sharp images, built-in 10-watt or 20-watt speakers and a six-segment color wheel to cast lifelike images onto the screen.
Lowering total cost of ownership (TCO), all models feature an "Eco Blank" mode, allowing presenters to blank out the projection screen whenever the projector is not in use. To further reduce energy costs, the MX720, MW721, MX766, and MW767 use BenQ's SmartEco technology to enable power-saving features. In the "SmartEco" mode, the projector automatically adjusts lamp power by up to 70 percent — using just the right amount of brightness that is needed. A "No Source Detected" mode automatically lowers brightness to 30 percent when no display has been detected for more than three minutes, while a "Standby" mode lowers power consumption to less than 0.5W while the projectors are inactive. In addition, the M7 Series features an audio pass through function that further preserves lamp life by enabling just sound for audio-only podcasts or presentations.
For complete connectivity, the M7 Series features LAN Display for full projection management via a single LAN cable, dual HDMI and D-sub ports to enable inputs from several sources, and DLP Link support for 3D projection. Other features include "instant restart," which allows rapid rebooting when devices are accidentally switched off and a microphone input to facilitate setups by eliminating the need to carry speakers.
Available now, the BenQ MX720, MW721, MX722, MX766 and MW767 retail at $1,299, $1,499, $1,499, $2,199 and $2,399, respectively.
More information is available here: http://www.BenQ.us.
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Share Article Back to Top BEHRINGER Debuts New 500-Watt PA Speakers The new BEHRINGER EUROPORT EPS500MP3 PA System is aimed at musicians, DJs, schools, gyms or anyone seeking a portable and lightweight audio solution. The compact system is easy to set up and simple to use, and features an 8-channel, 500-watt powered mixer with built-in MP3 player and wireless mic capability. It offers two separate loudspeakers, each with a custom-designed 8” woofer and 1” compression driver and a storage compartment for the included XM1800S mic and cabling.
Despite its size, the EPS500MP3 is integrated with an 8-channel powered mixer that can be left attached to the back of the speaker or detached for easy positioning and access. Channels 1 – 4, which feature BEHRINGER's XENYX mic preamps, accept balanced XLR mics, as well as balanced and unbalanced ¼” line-level sources. Phantom power is provided for studio-grade condenser mics and each channel has its own 2-band EQ. Stereo channels accommodate both RCA and ¼” inputs.
Here are the specs: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/EPS500MP3.aspx
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Share Article Back to Top Crimson AV Ships Three New Universal Projector Mounts Crimson AV's new JR series projector mounts are now shipping and include three mounts with varying features.
The JR is a lightweight basic projector mount that features two points of adjustment for both pitch and roll, which simplifies the alignment of projectors weighing less than 50 pounds. A pre-assembled, two-piece design with integrated cord management and 1.5” NPT compatibility enables pre-wiring for a quick and easy installation. A universal design facilitates hole patterns up to 380 millimeters in diameter. It offers an intuitive quick release mechanism and lists for $99.
The JR2 is a mid-level, two-piece projector mount that features heavy-duty all steel construction in a low profile, pre-assembled package. Twelve adjustment points are included — six for pitch and six for roll to ensure that even heavier projectors or those mounted off-center of gravity stay in place without slipping after installation. A universal design fits hole patterns up to 460 millimeters in diameter and a click-in-place quick release allows easy removal for projector bulb replacement without losing preset picture adjustments. It can handle projectors up to 70 pounds and lists for $117.
Crimson’s JR3 allows for precise adjustments without the use of tools. A unique lead screw mechanism ensures precise adjustments; simply rotate the large, easy to grip knobs to make all necessary adjustments during installation. Heavy-duty construction makes JR3 SyncPro ideal for larger projectors and/or those with an off-center lens, and a universal design fits hole patterns up to 380 millimeters in diameter. Additional legs expand the range to cover any large or irregular mounting hole patterns, and an intuitive quick release mechanism enables easy removal for projector bulb replacement without losing preset picture adjustments. It lists for $169 and can handle up to 70 pounds.
Here are all the specs: http://www.crimsonav.com
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Haivision Video Cloud Goes Live; Simplifies Online Video Haivision today announced the launch of the Haivision Video Cloud, which simplifies the complexity of live and on-demand video workflows by providing an end-to-end media platform. Haivision’s online video platform provides a complete solution for companies to engage their audiences with dynamic media content, regardless of network or device.
The Haivision Video Cloud simplifies the complexity associated with the management and publishing of video by integrating on-premise source encoding, file-based and live transcoding, media management, microsite builder, automated publishing and feed management and viewer-based real-time analytics. With the Haivision Video Cloud, organizations can implement an end-to-end system they can rely on to deliver both live and on-demand media experiences to any connected device.
The Haivision Video Cloud features integration of a robust and reliable content delivery network (CDN) – Akamai – that ensures that the storage and delivery of media assets in the cloud is quick and of the highest quality. The Haivision Video Cloud features the ability to automate the delivery of content to websites, mobile devices and tablets, along with social media syndication.
Core components of the Haivision Video Cloud include:
- A Video Content Management System (VCMS) that automates the gathering and publishing of live and on-demand content and integrates publishing workflows, file transcoding, media management and viewer-based analytics within an intuitive user interface
- Haivision’s flagship live cloud transcoding engines support adaptive streaming formats with KulaByte, pay-per-use automated cloud transcoding with HyperStream Live and 24/7 linear cloud transcoding services
- Easily configurable video micro-sites with Haivision’s Site Builder, to present video content in customized media webpages
- Content delivery powered by Akamai’s industry leading content delivery network (CDN) for storage and transport
For more information, click here: http://www.haivision.com/hvc
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Share Article Back to Top Extron Introduces New TeamWork Digital Collaboration System Extron's TeamWork is basically a pre-packaged, pre-configured small room system that supports groups of four to six users. TeamWork 400 and TeamWork 600 Digital Collaboration System packages are pre-configured for ease of installation with virtually any furniture system, new or currently in use. The TeamWork system also works with most flat panel displays, laptops and tablets. For added flexibility, TeamWork is scalable and can be easily tailored to meet specific requirements with the addition of mounting hardware, support for legacy analog sources and other optional accessories.
The TeamWork system is designed for simple, intuitive operation with a minimum of training. Users simply connect their laptop or tablet to a TeamWork "Show Me" cable to start the system, then press the "Share" button to display their content on the presentation display. When done, users simply disconnect and walk away, and the TeamWork system automatically turns itself off and is ready for the next collaboration session. The TeamWork collaboration system is HDCP-compliant and supports full resolution, full frame rate digital video up to 1080p/60 and analog computer-video up to 1920×1200. Each TeamWork system package is complete and ready for installation, and includes HDMI "Show Me" cables, a switcher, a system controller, a Cable Cubby enclosure with four US AC outlets, and other necessary system cables. TeamWork supports legacy analog computer sources with the optional TeamWork VGA Kit. Mounting hardware is also optionally available to facilitate different collaboration table or work surface designs.
Here are all the specs for the TeamWork 400: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=tw400&s=5
Here are all the specs for the TeamWork 600: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=tw600&s=5
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Share Article Back to Top AVFoundry's New HDMI Test Pattern Generator Ships The VideoForge is a portable test pattern generator that can be used independently or incorporated with Spectracal's CalMAN Software. It provides an HDMI output with video signals you need for testing, calibrating and servicing video displays, including 3D displays. The VideoForge’s features three distinct control interfaces. First the VideoForge utilizes a modern XML-RPC control interface for automated control. Second, the VideoForge features an Adobe Flash-based control panel for interactive control. Finally, the VideoForge can be controlled with a programmable infrared remote for standalone operation.
The VideoForge’s features full 3D support — every pattern can be displayed in a 3D video format. The standard patterns will show the same image in both left and right eye frames. True stereo patterns are available from JPG and PNG files on the SD card. The VideoForge allows on/off gating for left and right eye images independently — allowing for testing and measurement of stereo separation or left/right crosstalk.
Here are all the specs: http://www.avproalliance.com/pages/product-catalog-detail/AVFoundry_VideoForge
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Share Article Back to Top Atlas Sound Ships Racks with Printed Vertical Rack Rails Atlas Sound is now shipping all its equipment racks with printed rack rails. The company says this makes it easier for integrators to plan a rack elevation and reduce product install time at the job site.
The rack rails are printed with each 1RU section having a designated number and defined area. This easily identifies how many 1RU sections are in the rack and makes it easy to see where each product should be placed when installed.
Atlas Sound has been producing equipment racks since the 1960s. The company's current line of racks, all of which are made in the USA at the company's Ennis, Tex. production facility, includes multiple series that each offer a unique set of features and benefits. Each rack series is available in various heights and depths.
For more information, go to http://www.atlassound.com |
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Share Article Back to Top New OmniWall Display Processor from RGB Spectrum RGB Spectrum's new OmniWall 16 display processor has up to 16 inputs and 16 outputs – ideal for 2×2, 3×3 or 3×4 screen arrays, or linear configurations from 1×16 to 16×1. For larger video walls, the OmniWall 32 offers up to 32 inputs and 32 outputs. For even larger walls, multiple chassis can be connected in parallel. A wide selection of modular fiber and copper inputs include digital and analog sources – DVI, HDMI, 3G/HD-SDI, RGB and component signals. The system supports DVI resolutions up to 1920×1200 and 4K (UltraHD) up to 4096×2160. HDCP compliance allows the processor to accommodate content-protected HDMI signals and provide embedded audio passthrough. An HDCP encoded signal can be routed to all outputs. Control includes RS232, IP and front panel.
Here are all the stats: http://www.rgb.com/news/announcements/item.php?file=Omni
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Share Article Back to Top Kramer Adds Nine-Input Scaler/Switcher Kramer Electronics has launched the VP−690, a nine-input scaler/switcher with one SD/HD/3G HD−SDI input, two HDMI inputs, two VGA ports, two composite video inputs on RCA connectors and two component video inputs on RCA connectors. The unit scales the video, embeds the audio, and outputs the signal simultaneously to an HDMI output, a VGA output and an RGBHV video output.
Kramer says the VP−690 automatically detects and selects the audio source for the HDMI input. If HDMI is not detected, then the it uses the audio from the analog input.
The VP−690 has 20 output resolutions, a looping 3G HD−SDI input and a non−volatile memory that saves the unit settings. Control is via front panel push buttons, by RS−232 or via Ethernet.
Here are all the specs: http://www.kramerus.com
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Share Article Back to Top Extron Updates MediaLink iPad App Extron's MediaLink for iPad, version 1.1, provides an additional point of control for systems with Ethernet-enabled MediaLink controllers and their associated control modules. With this app, users can wirelessly control their AV system using a Wi-Fi network, allowing them the freedom to move from room to room. This latest release adds powerful new features, including support for Extron control modules to expand the app’s functionality in more applications and an enhanced Room Manager that eliminates the previous version’s 12 room limit, giving users the ability to use the app in larger scale installations. MediaLink for iPad 1.1 supports all generations of iPads and iPad mini and is now available for download on the App Store.
In addition to the features mentioned above, MediaLink for iPad version 1.1 also features Auto-reconnect, which recalls the previous session even after the app is closed, and Auto-lock override that keeps the iPad screen on and allows the app to stay active at all times. As in the previous version, each button press is tracked in real time between the app and the controller, so that both stay in sync. MediaLink for iPad supports Extron MLC 104 IP Plus and MLC 226 IP MediaLink Controllers that are configured using Global Configurator.
Here are all the details: http://www.extron.com/product/software.aspx?id=vml&s=5
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Share Article Back to Top Planar Releases 3D BIM Models of LCD Displays and Video Walls This week Planar Systems announced that 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) models of select Planar large format LCD displays and video walls are now available free through the Autodesk Seek web service.
Autodesk Seek allows architects, engineers and designers to easily find, preview and download 3D models of Planar displays. They can then incorporate these models into their building plans without having to create the models themselves.
3D BIM models of three Planar product families are now available from the Autodesk Seek online content library, a web service that supplies free BIM models from a wide range of building product manufacturers. The models include Planar Mosaic architectural video walls, Clarity Matrix LCD video walls and Planar UltraLux Series large flat panel monitors. Each of these BIM models provides data-rich drawings and product specifications that accurately depict the displays and their options within Autodesk Revit, a market-leading 3D design platform.
Here are the details: http://www.planar.com
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Share Article Back to Top Stewart Filmscreen Adds Three New Hires Stewart Filmscreen announced this month the appointment of Victoria Ferrari and Stephanie Hunter to the positions of regional sales managers, and Zach Hurvitz to the national consultant liaison position. All three new team members will be instrumental in developing new business opportunities and managing customer and partner relations throughout the U.S. and Canadian commerical A/V markets.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Vislogix Announces Exclusive Distribution Partnership for Holocube in U.S, Canada Vislogix, Inc. has announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with B.V.B.A Rapid Affiage for its proprietary Holocube line of holographic products that covers the United States and Canadian territories.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Bob McCarthy Returns to Meyer Sound as Director of System Optimization Meyer Sound has appointed Bob McCarthy to the newly created position of director of system optimization. An international authority in sound system design, McCarthy will be a part of the R&D department with a mission to advance networked audio solutions. In addition, he will remain an active instructor in the Meyer Sound education program, and support the design and commissioning of new Meyer Sound installations.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top ComQi Announces Promotions & Organizational Change ComQi recently announced promotions and organizational changes matching its growth and global footprint. Ajay Chowdhury, the current chief executive of ComQi will become chairman of the company, based in London. Ifti Ifhar is to become chief executive of the company, based in New York. Ifti is the current chief operating officer and chief financial officer of ComQi.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Mario Rodriguez Joins FOR-A As Latin American Sales Manager FOR-A Corporation of America has added Mario Rodriguez as its sales manager for the Latin American market. Effective March 4, Rodriguez assumes responsibility of all sales in the Latin American area with the support of FOR-A America’s sales director, Pedro Silvestre.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Visix Named 2013 Pinnacle Award Winner by Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Visix, Inc., based in Atlanta, has been named as one of Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's top 25 Pinnacle Award winners. The esteemed “Pinnacle Top 25″ are awarded for demonstrating extraordinary growth and contributions to the community.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top Hills SVL Group to Distribute L-ACOUSTICS in Australia L-ACOUSTICS has announced the appointment of the Hills SVL Group as its newest distributor for the Australian and New Zealand market.
The agreement between the Hills SVL Group and L-ACOUSTICS covers Australia and New Zealand will have the group promoting and supporting the full product range — including coaxial point source, constant curvature and variable curvature systems, plus amplified controllers — through its seven sales offices and warehouses across the territory.
To read the complete press release online, click here. Back to Top SurgeX International Commissions Global AC Power and Grounding White Paper SurgeX International has added a new white paper, Power and Grounding for Audio and Video Systems: A White Paper for the Real World – International Edition.
Authored by Jim Brown of Chicago's Audio Systems Group, Inc., the 43-page document was commissioned by SurgeX International to serve consultants and IT/AV system integrators as a core guide on the proper implementation of 120/230-volt AC power platforms with correct connection, distribution and grounding practices. The white paper is available for free here: http://www.surgexinternational.com/pdf/SurgeX-Power-Ground-EU.pdf
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Share Article Back to Top For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition 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). Don't like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas, Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com 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 GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] 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 To read more about my background, our team and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top Copyright 2013 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: Sara@rAVePubs.com
rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.
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