Volume 14, Issue 19 — October 5, 2016
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Editorial Editorial Editorial
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Industry News Unified Collaborative Conferencing Control & Signal Processing Displays Audio Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories
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Redefining an Industry
By Mark Coxon rAVe Blogger
I may be late to the party on this topic but I wanted to give my thoughts on a discussion started by CEDIA’s Vin Bruno when he stated that perhaps it was time we stopped calling ourselves “integrators” and started calling ourselves “technologists.”
There have been several takes on this to date. Some like the idea. Technologist is a fairly modern term that encompasses technology as a whole and could really apply to any discipline or specialty. On the down side, technologist is a broad term that could really apply to any discipline or specialty. Being a “technologist,” someone may approach you to discuss IP security cameras when your business focuses on high end collaboration, and then you would have to explain, “I am not that kind of technologist.”
This begs the question, “Do we need to add some type of descriptor before ‘technologist’?”
Then we get right back into the swamp of acronyms and terms we already use to describe the type of “integrators” we are. Would we have Unified Communication Technologists, Home Theater Technologists, Commercial Cinema Technologists, etc.? If so, is “technologist” really the important part of the term at all? It seems the qualifier is really the important part of that title.
Others like the idea of staying with the term integrator. They say it is a better descriptor of what they do, integrating different products into a complete system that works as an “integrated” whole. I don’t disagree with that sentiment in principle, but there is a growing problem with the term.
More and more, the devices we used to “integrate” are being pre-integrated by manufacturers. It is a common trend right now. Look at QSC creating USB integration for cameras in their DSP products. Look at systems like Mondopad and Surface Hub where the traditional flat panel, touch bezel, PC, microphone, and camera that needed to be “integrated” together now come in one SKU. Perhaps even look at Biamp, a company who has traditionally been known for audio. They are writing whitepapers on video transport and HDCP Pro specifications. Why would they be doing that? Is video being integrated into their DSP and audio distribution products soon? It seems like it’s coming.
The point is, that we actually do less integrating than we used to, and the trend may continue, making the term “integrator” even less descriptive of what we actually do for clients in the future.
Regardless of your preference and the reasons behind it, I have one reason that I think both terms fall severely short.
They both fail the Google test.
When people need help with VTC or their home theater they don’t google the word “integrator” or “technologist.”
I did a rudimentary poll of friends and family that work outside our industry. I asked them what they would search for online if they needed help setting up a system in their conference room or help with their TV and audio system set up. Overwhelmingly they said they would search for conference room or home theater “installation.”
Yes…”installation.”
I can FEEL you all bristling at me right now. How dare we be relegated to being installers? We do design and programming and extension of signals and UX design that an “installer” could never do. However, that doesn’t really matter. What matters most is how people who want to buy your services start searching for them when they need you.
Now when I asked the same people what they would search for when they were looking for someone to help select technology, the word “designer” came up almost every time. A lot of integrators describe themselves as “design-build” so it seems at least in part they are on the right track. I think the genesis of that comes from adopting the vernacular of construction companies that are design-build. It works, but most people don’t think of an AV system as being “built.” It seems design-install may be a better term just based on what people’s existing ideas of our services are.
Now is there an organization that uses Design and Installation in their title? It seems that CEDIA may be farther ahead than they thought when it comes to creating a description of our industry that our end users themselves understand. CEDIA is after all the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association.
I have also seen people suggest terms like “Communication Partner,” which could work as well and may be closer, but I’m not sure I’d search for one online when I need my speakers adjusted.
Now some of you are saying we shouldn’t let others define what we do and we should define it for them. That is fine, but know that this type of effort requires us to educate the market on the terminology that we want them to use. That takes a marketing effort and marketing dollars.
If we think of programs like CTS, we know that the initials are seldom recognized outside the AV beltway. Marketing that to end users has been slow, and I don’t expect redefining our industry would be any easier, especially if we don’t want to jump on the “design” and “installation” word associations that already exist in our clients minds. According to their reports, InfoComm spends between $400,000 and $500,000 on marketing each year, and some of that is marketing the organization internally to the members. It will take a larger commitment to redefine ourselves as an industry to the masses and I’m not sure the funds exist to do it.
It seems CEDIA may be on board to invest in that as well.
Remember it’s not cheap, so we really need to be sold on the term we pick. After all, we are paying to promote it at that point.
So do we need to redefine the industry as a whole or is it enough to just tackle the “What is an integrator?” question every time that it’s asked like we’ve done for the last decade?
I doubt we’ll get consensus on the matter as it would mean we have to agree on a standard term we all use, and as you know if you’ve been around AV for a while, standards really aren’t our thing…
Chime in below! What should we call ourselves and why? I’d love to hear your opinions.
Check out these other pieces to get more background on the conversation as well and some additional thoughts.
AV Futures?
MHO:10 What’s In a Name? Leave a Comment
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Is Your Service Department Screwing You Over?
By Hope Roth Recently, my husband had a major service issue with his car. This was a service issue so major, he contemplated leaving his car at the dealership and getting a new one somewhere else. The details will likely be for another post (lawyers might get involved). But I think there is a lot that we can learn just from the knowledge that a terrible service department can completely wipe out the vestiges of someone’s brand loyalty.
At many integration firms that I know, service is considered to be a stepping stone on the way to the installation side. Service calls are *hard.* You never know if they will take you five minutes or five hours. You’re often dealing with a customer who is angry and frustrated with their system. Documentation can be sketchy or non-existent. If someone cut too many zip ties, you might be dealing with a mess of wires.
The problem with letting your best techs move “up” to install is aptly demonstrated with my husband’s car woes: Service touches your system last, and they work with your customers over the long haul. You might love the people who sold and installed your equipment, but every time the service department gets something wrong, it undermines that relationship. The service department is what your customer remembers. My husband had no problem with the salesman who sold him his car. But if he ends up walking away in favor of a car that’s not in and out of the shop all the time? You’d best believe he will be buying that car from another manufacturer.
So how do you keep your techs and your customers happy? My company is small enough that we all wear many hats. I work on brand new installs and I do service calls. Our customers know that they’re always going to get the same level of support, be it a new install or a service call. But many companies are big enough that they need to split up service and install. So how do you keep that quality consistent?
First things first, you need to appreciate and support your service techs. A good service call takes a customer’s bad day and makes it better. That’s a value add. Let your techs know that you recognize that value. At the end of the day, most people just want to be treated well and given respect. If your crew works late to fix big problems, do you send them home early (with pay) if another job ends up being a quick fix? Do you give them all of the tools that they need to get their job done? Do your company policies make things easier for them? Are you giving them training and helping them to grow their skills? Do you let them know that service is an important part of your organization? Nobody should ever say that they are “just” a service tech.
You also need to set yourself up for success. Value engineering a system might get you to the numbers that a customer is asking for, but budget systems (especially ones that resort to inferior components) can be costly in the long haul. There are other important considerations as well, such as remote access, and automated monitoring and reporting. A service contract that includes preventative maintenance checks can protect both your customers and you. And what tech doesn’t like rolling up to a job site to update firmware, touch base with a customer and verify that everything still looks good?
The last thing you want is a customer picking up the phone, calling a competitor and asking if they can make this room work right. Leave a Comment
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The Future is Here, Part II
By Joel Rollins rAVe Columnist
Last month, my column spoke about the changing role of the AV rental and staging company in the client’s technical universe. As I stated in the article, one of the things that I have always enjoyed about being in the rental industry was that we were a very early purveyor of new technologies. As such, we have been a major portion of the way our clients learned about and acquired these new technologies, and because of that have had opportunities to build long-standing relationships of trust with client accounts. I went on to question whether that idea can continue to be true, in a world where consumer technology is often first, and often gets to create the clients impression of how technology should function.
So I spoke to a number of people in the AV rental and staging industry, asking the question: How does the rental and staging company stay relevant to your clients in a time of increasingly rapid technological change, which borders on technological chaos at times?
What I found, somewhat surprisingly, was that the rental company that is managing a time of technological change well is becoming even more a technical resource to their clients, even if the technology is being driven from outside the normal professional audiovisual industry.
Probably the best answer I got to the question came from Ike Eckstein, president of Visual Word Systems in New York. I happened to catch him during the week of the United Nations Annual General Assembly in New York, and yet, over the din of a very busy rental shop, he managed to give me an answer that really made me think. Basically, Ike’s feeling is that the rental company has become even more of a technical resource to its clients in an age of overhyped consumer technology. His opinion is that the client acquires base technologies that inspire them to do larger things, but that those systems (those required for real shows) require technology that the client does not acquire for himself/herself. What those of us in the installation industry describe as “infrastructure product” (switching, format conversion, control systems, etc.), Ike describes using the colloquialism “gazintas.” He went on at some length, despite how busy he was, to talk about the fact that despite outside changes in technology, the rental company is (and always has been) the company that ties those technologies together for their clients. Ike, who (literally) often answers his phone with the phrase “save your a$$ AV,” has a point, and a lot of experience with this. While the client may really like his or her new Apple TV and the way it works, he or she will quickly discover that it is not a practical device for shows, and then turn to the rental company for the technology that really works for their requirements, giving the rental company yet another opportunity to “save their a$$,” educate them, and further cement a relationship. From a personal point of view, I have always enjoyed these situations, as “fireman” work tends to not have a lot of price competition.
As I look back at it, I realize that the question itself was probably not appropriate to the rental industry. At each stage in technical development, people have questioned the future of the rental and staging portion of the audiovisual industry. When camcorders became available, the naysayers said that everybody was now going to produce their own video. They were wrong. When videoconferencing became available, the naysayers said that videoconferencing was going to replace the in-person meeting. They were wrong. When computer and video projectors became portable and less expensive, and did not require a seasoned technician to converge them, everybody was going to buy their own projectors and bring them to shows. Once again, they were wrong.
The very nature of the rental industry says that we constantly experiment with new equipment and technologies. It says that the kind of people that we employ are the kind of people who deal well with change. This combination, combined with the constant exposure to the newest and technologies and a healthy degree of curiosity says that the audiovisual rental and staging company continues to go forward into the future, as the people who will “make it work” for clients.
But there is also an old phrase that tells you that you can identify the pioneers by the arrows in their backs. So, while the rental company will continue to be a company that must remain adventurous technically, next month we will examine some ideas on how you do that while avoiding being stung by technological failures.
So stay tuned. Leave a Comment
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Audio-Technica Forms New Company Called AlterosAudio-Technica announces the formation of a new subsidiary company, named Alteros. The creation of this new company will allow for dedicated focus and flexible action to provide a wide range of technically advanced solutions that directly address the issues surrounding the ever-shrinking frequency spectrum, affecting the operation of wireless products used in live audio production, broadcast studios, sporting events, theaters and other applications. The announcement of the formation of Alteros, an Audio-Technica company, was made by Philip Cajka, Audio-Technica U.S. president and CEO and Jackie Green, Audio-Technica U.S. VP R&D/Engineering and Alteros president and CTO. In addition to Jackie Green, the Alteros management team includes Brian Fair, executive vice president digital engineering and Bob Green, executive vice president, product engineering.
Capitalizing on A-T’s years of extensive ultra-wideband (UWB) and RF technology research, Alteros will leverage their commercial sound implementation of UWB technology with its SpectraPulse ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless microphone system, which at the time completely bypassed the increasingly congested RF environment to deliver clear, intelligible audio without the performance and setup issues associated with conventional wireless systems. Years of research and refinement have resulted in a powerful technology platform that allows wireless freedom even for the most demanding users in the most demanding environments.
“Alteros represents Audio-Technica’s absolute dedication and commitment to developing the highest-level technical tools in support of the high-end audio market. Our first product addresses the issues facing broadcasters and audio professionals operating in the wireless realm,” stated Phil Cajka. “Jackie and her team have been working closely with leading broadcast engineers and their technical staff, who are all providing input which ultimately will result in a line of market-driven products under the Alteros brand. This is an exceptionally exciting time for Audio-Technica, and we expect great things to be coming from Alteros in the near future.”
Audio-Technica is here. Leave a Comment
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Crestron Partners With Microsoft New Skype for Business Meeting Room Solution Crestron today announced it has partnered with Microsoft to create Crestron’s Skype Room System, which brings an HD audio video experience to small and midsize meeting rooms and spaces, as well as conference rooms. Work like you’re in one place; quickly and easily join meetings, make phone calls, instantly share content in room and remotely.
Designed to simplify meetings
Engineered from the ground up to easily integrate with a broad range of meeting rooms, the Crestron Skype Room System features:
- A touch controller that manages the Skype Meeting
- HDMI and Crestron DigitalMedia inputs and outputs
- Six USB ports to connect audio devices, a camera, and other accessories
- Cresnet port to add an occupancy sensor for automation and room usage reporting
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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New Prysm “Guest Mode” Expands Prysm Visual Workplace Prysm announced Guest Mode, a new feature within the Prysm Application Suite that enables Prysm customers to add outside participants, such as potential customers, partners or contractors, to a Prysm Visual Workplace meeting, contributing to a more collaborative relationship that can immediately improve partnership productivity and lead to additional revenue potential.
Prysm Visual Workplace offers unique features such as access through a web browser, no download required, and a secure cloud-based portal that offers real time collaboration across any device or location. It also offers persistent work spaces, enabling meeting participants to continue a previous meeting exactly where they left off, including immediate access to contents from the previous meeting.
With the Guest Mode feature, each licensed Prysm user can provide access to any third-party participant, inside or outside the host’s organization. Once inside, guests can collaborate in real time with the other meeting participants to share and edit content and brainstorm ideas for a rich collaboration experience in meetings.
With Guest Mode, hosts can:
- Invite non-licensed users outside the company to participate in a Prysm session
- Maintain content control, deciding when guests can access the project and what they can see
- Pick up where they last left off, finding comments and annotations exactly as they left them, due to workspaces and content being persistently stored in the cloud
Guests can:
- Log in with an access code or accept an email invite
- Access projects remotely when hosts are concurrently accessing the same project
- Actively participate in collaboration sessions or meetings by adding or manipulating content
Guest Mode enhances Prysm Visual Workplace by including anyone a team wishes to collaborate with, any time from any location. Guest Mode will be available this month.
In addition to Guest Mode, Prysm will demonstrate the full capabilities of Prysm Visual Workplace to show how unifying content and applications with cloud-based workspaces helps distributed teams brainstorm, create and solve problems in real time to accelerate the decisions that matter.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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PureLink Intros Three New Video over IP Tx/Rx OptionsPureLink introduced today two new transmitters and a new receiver to their PureStream line of modular IP video extenders, now providing DVI and VGA connectivity. The VIP-200 series extends HD video, audio, USB/KVM, RS232 and matrix switching capabilities to IP networks for distances up to 590 feet, using PureLink’s proprietary codec, PureStreamX. The Tx has HDMI, RS232, audio and IR in and IP out. The Rx takes the IP-network signal and converts it back to HDMI, RS232, audio and IR. They are 1080p compatible but the compression level is not listed.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Extron Room Scheduling Now Integrates with Microsoft Office 365 Extron just announced the their Room Agent version 1.2 software turns TouchLink Pro touchpanels into full-featured booking appliances that conveniently display a room’s meeting information and availability. With Room Agent, the touchpanels require no programming, as they simply become a client of Microsoft Exchange. In addition to supporting Microsoft Exchange, the latest version of Room Agent software enables integration with Office 365 for additional scheduling convenience. With Room Agent, booking a room from the touchpanel is as easy as tapping the “Reserve” button. The customizable touchpanel interface also provides at-a-glance room availability and a timeline view of the room’s status for the rest of the day. In addition to the customizable touchpanel interface, bright LEDs within the bezel provide at-a-glance room availability status even from down the hall.
Room Agent makes setting up TouchLink Pro touchpanels a snap. Simply connect the touchpanel to your computer, open the software, fill in the required fields that compose the user interface, and you’re done. Customization options allow fields to be shown or hidden, depending on user preference. Multiple mounting options are available, including on-wall, in-wall, as well as secure mounting to almost any flat surface, including glass or granite.
Here are all the technical details. Leave a Comment
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AMX by HARMAN Debuts Low-Bandwidth/Compressed 4K Over IPHARMAN’s AMX just launched the N2300 Series of 4K lower-bandwidth video over IP solutions. With a bandwidth of less than 200 megabits per second, users can distribute 4K video over existing Gigabit Ethernet networks with what AMX says is only a latency of only one frame.
The N2300 Series includes support for HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 and the system handles 3840×2160 at 4:2:0 chroma subsampling rates. Like other AMX Networked AV products, the N2300 Series has Native NetLinx capabilities for integration into HARMAN solutions. Additional features include keyboard/mouse support, RJ-45 and SFP network connections, support for balanced and unbalanced analog audio and RS232 and IR ports for device control.
The NMX-DEC-N2322 decoder is available as a standalone unit perfect for mounting behind a display. The NMX-ENC-N2312 encoder is available both in standalone and card-based configurations, providing options for installation near a source or in a rack, using the AMX N9206 2RU Rack Mount Cage. The AMX N9206 holds up to six cards for a clean rack mount installation and optional consolidated power supply.
The AMX N2300 Series is expected to be available in November 2016. Here are all the specs for the encoder and the specs for the decoder. Leave a Comment
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Gefen Enters 4K Over IP Market Gefen, from Core Brands, today introduced two new 4K Ultra (3840×2160) HD Video over IP products. The new sender and receiver KVM units (the EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-TX and EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-RX) join the existing line of 1080p video over IP products and add 4K and HDR support, a built-in scaler, video-wall controller, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE), and digital/analog audio break-out. These are over a 1 Gig LAN thus, the signal is significantly compressed.
The new Gefen models feature HDMI and VGA inputs and outputs, and can support DVI when using Gefen HDMI-to-DVI cables. They support HDMI input resolutions up to 4K 60Hz 4:2:0 and output resolutions up to 4K 30Hz 4:4:4, HDR support, HDCP 2.2 and 1.4, and 7.1 channels of HBR (High Bit Rate) lossless and LPCM digital audio up to 330 feet (100 meters). The Sender also features a VGA output for local monitoring of the input. The VGA input and output support VESA resolutions up to 1920×1200 at 60Hz (WUXGA). This product also provides RS232 and two-way IR routing between the Sender and the Receiver units, allowing the transfer of IR commands and RS232 communications among all sources and the displays.
With HDMI and VGA selectable inputs, HDMI and VGA outputs, USB/KVM routing ability, 4K with HDR support and an array of new cutting-edge enhancements, the Gefen Video over IP product addresses the needs of systems integrators. Gefen is unique in delivering the enhanced network security made possible by separating the control and AV networks when using the Gefen EXT-CU-LAN Matrix Controller.
PoE (Power over Ethernet) allows the units to be powered through a standard PoE-enabled IP network switch, without the need for external power supplies. Built in scaler and video wall controller provide great flexibility in sizing and manipulating live and signage content in installations such as sports bars and restaurants, or corporate, education, hospitality and retail establishments. Additionally, digital and analog audio break-out allow the audio from the HDMI output to be sent to a separate audio system, enhancing the impact of presentations in large venues.
USB inputs and the four-output USB hub accommodate touch panels, a keyboard and mouse, and a variety of supported USB devices. This feature — along with analog audio inputs and outputs for use with microphones and headphones — makes these products perfect to use in collaborative and interactive installations in signage, hospitality, corporate and educational environments.
The cable run from a Sender to a Receiver can be up to 100 meters (330 feet). A built in Gigabit switch on each receiver allows the connection of additional receivers, providing daisy-chaining functionality. In applications such as digital signage, where there may be a need to replicate content on multiple displays throughout an installation, the ability to cascade receivers essentially removes the requirement for a cable to be connected directly to the main network switch, thereby extending the range of these units far beyond the limits of a point-to-point video distribution system.
The Sender features a 1U tall and half-rack-width enclosure, though it can also be surface mounted or be placed on a shelf. The Receiver can be surface-mounted or placed on a shelf. It is also rack mountable using the rack tray, but features a low profile enclosure that can fit in tight places. The IR Extender module allows this receiver to be hidden away behind a display or in the equipment closet.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Atlona Ships 4K Collaboration System Using HDBaseT Atlona announced that it is now shipping its AT-UHD-HDVS-300-KIT, an HDBaseT-equipped collaboration system that provides 4K AV switching, USB and HDMI extension, and system control for PC-based conferencing using Skype for Business, WebEx, and GoToMeeting cloud services.
The AT-UHD-HDVS-300-KIT consists of the AT-UHD-HDVS-300-TX, which serves as the conferencing hub, video switch and HDBaseT transmitter, and the AT-UHD-HDVS-300-RX, which receives the HDBaseT signal and delivers an HDMI signal to the display. The kit extends AV, Ethernet, control, and USB, and includes a USB hub at both the transmitter and receiver. For the AT-UHD-HDVS-300-RX, USB connectivity is ideal for carrying camera video back to the hub.Additionally, a local HDMI input is available on the receiver.
The AT-UHD-HDVS-300-KIT is compatible with sources and displays up to 4K/UHD @ 60 Hz with 4:2:0 chroma subsampling. Automatic input selection allows for hands-free transitions between presenters, and integrated display control enables automatic display on/off control as well as volume adjustment from the AT-UHD-HDVS-300-TX. The kit supports TCP/IP and RS232 control for compatibility with advanced control systems and it supports the Atlona Management System (AMS), which enables remote access for product configuration, troubleshooting and system updates.
The AT-UHD-HDVS-300-KIT lists for $1,899. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Datapath Debuts AV over IP iolite Digital Signage and Video Wall ControllersDatapath has launched a new line of video wall controllers called iolite designed specifically for small- to medium-scale walls. The iolite systems are small and designed to fit into retail, corporate reception and boardroom environments and sit behind the monitor or on a mount.
The iolite systems can be combined with up to six of Datapath’s Vision, decode and graphics cards to offer a flexible blend of inputs, outputs and SQX IP streams. It easily fits under a counter or behind a display space, and can be used for capture or local video playback and can decode and feed content to multiple locations simultaneously with SQX technology.
Datapath iolite video display systems are just 176x250x320 millimeters, feature six x8 PCIe Gen2 slots and increased slot spacing for reduced heat and power consumption. Features include on-board Wi-Fi, eight USB ports, an Ethernet port, analog audio ports, an embedded Windows Ultimate OS and then are available in a variety of processor speeds and SSD options.
Here is some specs. Leave a Comment
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PreSonus Ships StudioLive RML-series Rack-Mount Digital Mixers PreSonus is now shipping two new StudioLive RML-series models that offer line-level inputs, in addition to the XLR mic inputs found in the RM series. Designed for live-sound mixing and studio recording, StudioLive RML16AI and RML32AI mixers provide 32 internal channels and 25 buses, a 52×34 FireWire 800 recording interface, AVB Ethernet networking, and Fat Channel signal processing on all input channels and all buses, including a four-band parametric EQ, compressor, gate and limiter.
You can control StudioLive RML mixers with UC Surface touch-control software for Mac, Windows, and iPad and with the StudioLive CS18AI AVB control surface, which provides motorized faders. Combine hardware and software control to meet your individual needs.
Using AVB Ethernet networking, you can cascade any two StudioLive RML and RM mixers to create larger mixing systems. Combine a 16-input mixer with a 32-input mixer for a 48-channel mixing system or two 32-input mixers for a 64-channel system. Both mixers in the expanded systems can be controlled from a StudioLive CS18AI, from UC Surface and from Studio One.
A Stage Box mode lets you use StudioLive RML mixers as remote I/O devices in conjunction with StudioLive AI-series consoles. You can use the RML as simple I/O, bypassing the internal mixer, or as a monitor mixer and remote I/O.
In addition to UC Surface touch control software, these rack-mount mixers come with tightly integrated Capture recording software for Mac and Windows, with true Virtual Soundcheck mode; and Studio One 3 Artist DAW for Mac and Windows. PreSonus’ free QMix-AI aux-mix control software for iPhone/iPod touch enables musicians to control their own monitor mixes.
StudioLive RML16AI (MSRP $1,199.95) and StudioLive RML32AI (MSRP: $1,799) are here. Leave a Comment
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Kramer Launches Short-Range Wireless System for HDMI in KW-14The Kramer KW-14 is a pre-associated (pre-programmed to match) HDMI transmitter/receiver pair for short-range wireless AV distribution for presentation and multimedia environments such as meeting rooms, event spaces and classrooms. The KW-14T and KW-14R are a high−definition, wireless, HDMI transmitter/receiver pair for indoor use. Up to four KW-14R receivers can receive from one KW-14T transmitter and up to three KW-14T transmitters can be paired with one KW-14R receiver.
They both are spec’d to have a max. data rate of 6.75Gbps (2.25Gbps per graphic channel), Deep Color up to 12-bit and use AES-128 bit encryption. Up to four receivers can receive HDMI signals from one transmitter simultaneously; up to three transmitters associated with one receiver at any given time and they work short-range (30 meters/100 feet including through walls and furniture). Other features include EDID adjustment capabilities, IR remote control and are HDCP compliant.
Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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NEC Display Launches New LED LineupNEC Display Solutions launched a new series of LED displays that offer 1.2mm to 6mm pixel pitch for indoor applications and 5.8mm to 12.0mm pixel pitch for outdoor applications, perfect for nearly any viewing distance and maximum flexibility. Featuring 24-bit color processing enabling a greater color gradient for smooth, clear images and an increased lifespan to 100,000 hours for maximum value, the LED displays offer the ultimate viewing experience.
The front facing LED panels are easily upgradeable and designed for easy color calibration to ensure color uniformity, even if a panel is replaced. The LED panels can also be arranged in a curved concave/convex configuration and feature a high refresh rate to prevent flickering, making the direct view LED displays perfect for cutting-edge digital signage applications in retail, broadcast, control centers, transportation, and more.
In addition, the enhanced line of LED displays is equipped with controllers that can manage a 16-million pixels per controller. All displays are front- and rear-serviceable to reduce install and service costs, leading to an overall lower cost of ownership over competitors. The new LED displays also include an expanded warranty to three years of protection.
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Christie Signals Further Push in to Digital Signage MarketThe Digital Place Based Advertising Association (DPAA) announced today that Allure and its Christie Experiential Network (CEN) have joined its rapidly growing association. A division of Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc., CEN provides leading digital projection and display technologies, including 3D visualization, digital signage, video walls and more. Actively deploying a network of digital signs in cinema lobbies throughout the country, targeting national, regional and local advertisers, CEN’s immersive experiential format is transforming consumer experience and brand engagement.
“Christie is leading the industry with a range of spectacular digital displays that really grab consumers’ attention, making content and messaging even more impactful,” said Barry Frey, president and CEO, DPAA. “We welcome the Christie Experiential Network to our membership ranks and look forward to helping them build lasting relationships.”
Kevin Romano, EVP of Global Media for CEN, said, “Barry and his team at DPAA are doing great work in advancing the profile and status of the digital place-based media industry. We are proud to become part of this association as we advance the industry to new heights together.”
Membership in DPAA encompasses numerous benefits, including admission to quarterly “mini summit” meetings with ad industry and DPB leaders; access to an extensive database of research, best practices and case studies; tools for planning, training and forecasting; social media amplification as well as publication discounts. Additionally, there are opportunities to participate in media partnerships as well as the DPAA-Nielsen Service Bureau and DPAA-Nielsen Digital Diploma Series Training Program; insights on software and hardware solutions; further integration into the advertising ecosystem as part of the video everywhere conversation and marketing campaign, and more.
The DPAA’s annual Video Everywhere Summit will be held October 27 in New York. The Summit will bring together 700 delegates representing brands, agencies, digital place-based networks, ad tech, research firms and others for a full day of presentations, panels, case studies, networking events and experiential exhibits. The Video Everywhere Summit is the only event of its kind, dedicated to multi-screen viewing and the video neutral planning mantra that has taken hold at many clients and agencies.
You can learn all about the Allure/Christie Digital Network here. Leave a Comment
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PixelFLEX Launches TrueFLEX PixelFLEX’s new TrueFLEX LED video tile is designed for non-traditional LED applications as it has the ability to curve in any direction and attach to virtually any surface. Available in 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 4.0mm, 6mm and 10mm indoor pitch options, the fanless design allows for a no-noise solution that can operate in any indoor space, and its slim and lightweight construction provides a low-profile installation that needs very little space for wiring and mounting. With its single module replacement for easy onsite service, TrueFLEX uses magnetic modules and set screw ports to attach to virtually any surface, and the external sending and receiving control, paired with quality connectors, guarantee safe and reliable module connections.
Here are some details on the technology. Leave a Comment
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NEC Targets Health-Conscious with TCO Certified Desktop DisplaysNEC Display Solutions today launched the MultiSync EA245WMi and EX241UN, a series of 24-inch ultra-narrow bezel desktop displays suitable for use in environments such as corporate office and finance trading floors. NEC says these are designed with attention to healthcare in mind. Thanks to the built-in ‘Low Blue Light Plus’ technology, users’ eyes are protected against cataracts and macular degeneration, which can occur due to the long-term use of the displays.
The EA245WMi and EX241UN desktop models are designed to fulfill the industry’s environmental and social responsibility targets and have both earned the latest TCO Certified Displays 7. Environmentally designed with minimal hazardous material content, NEC’s TCO-certified displays offer third parties verified option for suppliers looking to meet growing demand for more sustainable technologies.
The both have three and four-sided ultra-narrow bezels that reduce the display footprint to a minimum without compromising on the screen size. Additionally, the desktop displays offer ergonomic features such as full height adjustability as well as swivel, tilt and pivot functionality. The human and ambient light sensors within the displays auto-adjust to minimize unnecessary power consumption.
The NEC MultiSync EA245WMi three-sided ultra-thin bezel desktop display will be available from October 2016 and the NEC MultiSync EX241UN four-sided ultra-thin bezel desktop display will be available from November 2016. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Waves Audio Introduces SoundGrid Connect Waves Audio announces the introduction of SoundGrid Connect, a feature of the SoundGrid driver. With SoundGrid Connect, users can connect any ASIO/Core Audio-compatible audio interface to SoundGrid technology and dramatically boost the capacity of their system – run hundreds of plugins simultaneously, stream audio, record and mix from multiple computers and DAWs at the same time, and more.
SoundGrid Connect lets users add massive processing power to their system by connecting any ASIO/Core Audio interface to a SoundGrid DSP server and processing their SoundGrid-compatible Waves and third-party plugins on the server instead of their computer. By offloading their plugin processing to the server, users can smoothly run hundreds of plugins on their sessions and free up their computer’s CPU for other tasks.
SoundGrid Connect also allows users to connect any ASIO/Core Audio interface to the SoundGrid network, which lets them stream audio, record and mix from many different computers and DAWs simultaneously – all with incredibly simple Ethernet connections.
Users who already have a SoundGrid I/O can also use SoundGrid Connect to expand their SoundGrid network and add to it any ASIO/Core Audio interface.
SoundGrid Connect is available free of charge to any owner of at least one Waves software product.
SoundGrid Connect allows users to:
- Connect non-SoundGrid (ASIO/Core Audio) audio interfaces to a SoundGrid server and offload plugin processing to the server
- Connect non-SoundGrid (ASIO/Core Audio) audio interfaces to the SoundGrid network for audio streaming, mixing and recording
- Patch and mix from multiple computers, DAWs and I/Os in the SoundGrid network
- Collaborate on projects and move between studios with different systems. Any musician or engineer working with a host computer and ASIO/Core Audio driver can now connect to other users’ SoundGrid network and vice versa.
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Apogee Symphony I/O Mk II Adds Dante Option Card Apogee Electronics has just announced a Dante network option card for its Symphony I/O Mk II audio interface. The addition of Dante expands Symphony’s connectivity options which currently include, Thunderbolt, Pro Tools HD and SoundGrid. The Symphony I/O Mk II Dante option card uses Audinate’s Dante Brooklyn II module, which features plug and play media networking for up to 64 bidirectional channels at 48kHz.
The Dante Brooklyn II module is a full-featured solution for easily integrating the power of Dante networking into new and existing products. A single Brooklyn II module provides a complete, ready-to-use Dante interface, and can equip a networked audio device with as many as 64 channels of bi-directional digital streaming. The onboard MicroBlaze CPU includes its own Linux environment, enabling the development of custom embedded applications for device and network control and monitoring. A wide range of interfaces is supported, and Audinate’s comprehensive software toolkit streamlines integration, dramatically lowering time to market.
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Apogee Intros Element Series Thunderbolt Audio Interfaces Apogee Electronics just launched their new Element Series — three Thunderbolt audio I/O boxes for Mac — Element 24, Element 46 and Element 88 (each with a different number of analog and digital I/O). The Element series uses Apogee’s Thunderbolt driver for 1.41ms round-trip latency when using Logic Pro X. As an added element, the series also features Apogee Groove’s headphone output technology. This design dynamically optimizes sound quality for a wide variety of headphones, regardless of their impedance. you have connected.
The configurable Element Control software for Mac lets users set up workflows that meet their needs and the Element Control for iOS App lets them control the Elements remotely over Wi-Fi. Logic Pro X users can adjust Element I/O settings directly from their Logic Channel strips. And for those wanting more traditional desktop control, there’s the optional Apogee Control hardware, featuring a Duet like form-factor with 8 assignable buttons and a master control knob. Regardless which of these options you prefer, if you are using an Element, everything is under control.
Highlights include:
- Sound quality equal to Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt
- AD/DA conversion for recording up to 192kHz/24-bit
- World-class mic preamps built-in, with selectable 48v phantom power
- Single port Thunderbolt connectivity to Mac for ultra-low latency performance
- 1.41ms round-trip at 96kHz with a 32 buffer setting
- New Element Control Software for Mac provides all control of hardware parameters including input gain, output level and low latency monitoring
- New Element Control Mobile App provides wireless remote control of hardware via iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
- Works with Apogee Control – Desktop hardware remote control accessory
- Multi-Unit Thunderbolt support – Connect any two Element audio I/O boxes directly to Thunderbolt ports on your computer
Price/Availability:
- Element 24 (10 in x 12 out) – $595 USD – Available November 2016
- Element 46 (12 in x 14 out) – $895 USD – Now Shipping Worldwide
- Element 88 (16 in x 16 out) – $1495 USD – Now Shipping Worldwide
- Element Control for Mac – Available as download from Apogee’s website
- Element Control for iOS – Now Available for Free from Apple’s App Store
- Apogee Control Hardware Remote – $195 USD – Available November 2016
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Audinate Updates Dante Via with Multichannel and ASIO Support Audinate has announced the immediate worldwide availability of Dante Via version 1.1, an update that includes ASIO support. Other features include:
- Multichannel application support – up to 16×16 channels per application
- Support for high performance ASIO device drivers on Windows PCs
- Source mixes with individual level controls for stereo destinations
- Ability to append channels when adding sources to multichannel destinations
- Device Lock, which prevents unwanted changes to Dante Via 1.1 from other network users
Dante Via allows for audio networking — connecting all computer-based audio, including USB, Thunderbolt and PCIe devices as well as audio applications, to any Dante audio network. With automatic discovery of all audio applications, devices and Dante network endpoints and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Dante Via is fast and easy to use. Version 1.1 takes it even further with support for ASIO-connected devices on Windows, full multichannel functionality for audio applications, level controls on source mixes, and channel appending for multichannel audio destinations.
With increased performance and channel count, Dante Via 1.1 supports up to 16×16 channels of audio for each application and up to 32×32 for each connected device. Composers, performers and recording engineers can now make audio connections between multiple applications and devices within one computer, or between multiple computers using Dante audio networking. By extending existing, cost-effective computer-based I/O over a Dante network, systems for overflow rooms in schools, business and houses of worship are easily created and deployed as needed.
Additional features include Device Lock, which prevents unwanted changes to Dante Via from other computers on the network, and a new Mixer panel that enables level adjustments of multiple sources that are combined at stereo destinations. The new Append Channels feature automatically assigns sources to available channels when connecting to multichannel destinations, allowing for quick and logical routing to DAWs and mixers.
Dante Via 1.1 is a free upgrade for existing users of Dante Via, who may obtain the new version by clicking “Check for Update” in the Dante Via is priced at $49.95 USD and a 30-day free trial is available here. Leave a Comment
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SurgeX Adds Power Solutions for Digital Signage for Chief Chief is now offering three new SurgeX solutions designed to safeguard digital displays. SurgeX FlatPak and MultiPak solutions are the premier power protection choice to safeguard digital displays and projectors from the dangers associated with electrical transients. Their multi-stage technology is superior to the single-stage MOV circuitry found in conventional surge protectors and is instrumental in reducing downtime.
These digital signage products are an expansion of the current SurgeX offerings available from Chief, including a line of co-developed infrastructure products that combine innovative storage options with premium, non-sacrificial surge protection and noise filtration. One-SKU ordering simplifies specification. Chief also has Revit models for all powered solutions for ceiling and in-wall storage. Find them online at milestone.com and on Autodesk SEEK.
The exclusive line of products was developed by Chief in collaboration with AMETEK Electronic Systems Protection, the owner of SurgeX.
Products now powered with non-sacrificial surge protection:
- Stand-Alone Wall Outlet
- In-Wall Storage Boxes with up to six receptacles
- Plenum Ceiling Storage Boxes
- Suspended Ceiling Kits
- Suspended Ceiling Projector Mount System
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
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Everything we publish is opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship publication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition is co-published with CEDIA, covering 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
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