Volume 14, Issue 3 — February 3, 2016
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Industry News Unified Collaborative Conferencing Displays Control & Signal Processing Projection Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories Audio
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Could This Change Everything in Projection?
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
Something called the Illumina Light Farm may be as common in your tech vocabulary as DLP or Bluetooth soon. A company called Power Technology just one-upped the entire projection market with what it’s dubbing the Illumina Light Farm.
What is it? Imagine removing the light source for a multi-projector install (e.g., installs where multiple projectors are required, including simulation, video walls, multi-screen movie theaters and image mapping) such that the light was all coming from ONE SOURCE and distributed to each projector as needed. So, you an change the lumens of a particle projector as you need to or send the EXACT same amount of light to each projector.
How do they do it?
It’s all laser light house din a giant equipment rack and then sent to lampless projectors. The light is sent via laser to each and every projector as it’s needed. And, the amount of light projected through each projector can be adjusted, on the fly (as ambient light changes in the room or the application, itself, changes).
Laser Illuminated Projection (LIP) is sweeping the world. Audiences are demanding brighter colors. Theater owners are demanding cost savings and more ticket revenue. For premium large-format screens, LIP makes perfect sense. But, what about the 95 percent of screens that don’t need (and can’t justify) 60,000 lumens of laser light? The Illumina Light Farm is designed and positioned to give that 95 percent the same advantages of the monster screens out there. The Illumina Light Farm is the first multi-projector laser light source in the world and it is going to change the entire landscape of LIP.
Here are some of the Illumina Light Farm capabilities:
- Between 5,000 and 250,000 lumens from a single location
- Distribute lumens to any number of new or retrofitted projectors
- No down time for lamp changes.
- Increased revenue for a premium experience.
- Spread the investment of LIP across multiple projectors for a positive ROI and lower TCO
Watch this video to understand.
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HDR and WCG for ProAV?
By Chris Chinnock Display Central
Anyone in the ProAV markets needs to also track what is going on in the consumer electronics world – especially what happens at CES each year. There were many important developments in virtual and augmented reality, wearables, PCs, projection, connectivity and more. I spent my time focused on another hop topic related mostly to TVs – High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG). And there was a lot of news to report.
For the uninitiated, HDR refers to the expansion of the contrast range of the display to allow high peak brightness levels and darker black levels. TVs and a few projectors with these capabilities are available now and a lot more are coming. These are mostly aimed at home use, but they will start to drive interest and demand in commercial and professional applications as well.
Wide Color Gamut refers to increasing the range of colors that can be displayed on the display beyond the stand color gamuts used in content today. In HD video content for example, the standard color gamut is BT 709, while for web content is sRGB and for cinema content, DCI-P3. The new UHD specification calls for a much bigger color gamut called BT 2020. WCG generally refers to display that can produce a color gamut close to DCI-P3 or larger (there is no real definition).
HDR and WCG are often closely coupled in content and in display solutions. Projectors and flat panel displays I have seen with HDR and WCG show a dramatic visual performance difference compared to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and 709 color gamut displays. The brighter areas of the images pop, there are more details in the shadows and the colors are more saturated and appear richer and brighter. You can see these improvements from across the room – something you can necessarily do when comparing a FHD display to a 4K one.
Just prior to CES, I wrote a lengthy white paper covering all of the HDR and WCG ecosystem issues from content to distribution to display. You can download the white paper for free here.
After attending CES, I wrote another report on all the news in the HDR and WCG ecosystem, including a nice table of all current and announced TVs with these features. This is also available for free here.
So what did I learn and what is the take away for the ProAV markets? Here is what the industry seems to saying.
Hollywood is embracing HDR/WCG and with all seven major studios creating content for the cinemas in the format and some now agreeing to create content on Blu-rays and for over the top providers. This will be primarily movies and episodic content to start, but work is also ongoing to extend this to live TV broadcasting.
For distribution, the first of the new Ultra HD Blu-ray plays can now be pre-ordered for $399 from Samsung and Philips. They will support HDR/WCG content playback. Over the top HDR/WCG/4K content is already flowing from Amazon and Vudu with Netflix and YouTube poised to enter the market soon. Dish says it will support HDR/WCG/4K content in 2016 so other satellite and cable providers won’t be far behind.
Over the air transmission will lag however, as the new ATSC 3.0 standard needs to be approved and adopted by the industry. However, CES 2016 was a milestone in this area as the first live transmission of a 4K/HDR/WCG signal was sent from a tower in Las Vegas to TVs on the CES show floor (Samsung and LG).
In TVs, it is clear that 4K/HDR/WCG models will be widely available in 2016. These will be premium models, but expect this to roll into mid tier models in the next year or two. Since many commercial and professional installs use TVs, 4K/HDR/WCG may start to be on the minds of some of these customers.
While organizations like the HD Alliance are trying to help in creating a great experience and educating sellers and buyers of 4K/HDR/WCG products, it is going to be very confusing for everyone.
Consider the table below from the tutorial white paper. This shows that content will be mastered with three different color gamuts and can be played back on TVs or projectors with a continuous range of color capabilities. How the colors are stretched or compressed will vary widely based upon the sophistication of the color processing in the display or outboard processor box.
A similar thing is going to happen with the HDR component. This will be mastered at several levels and passed to TVs or projectors that have a continuous range of peak luminance and black level capabilities. How this well this “tone-mapping” is done will again be highly device dependant.
And to add even more confusion – legacy SDR/709 content can be processed to make it more “HDR/WCG-like” – even if played back on a TV with SDR/709 capabilities or something a little better.
The bottom line – you better start to bone up on these technologies now so you can intelligently answer the questions that will be asked later.
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InFocus Buys AvistarInFocus today announced the acquisition of Avistar a videoconferencing software provider specializing in technology that enables seamless video calling from mobile devices, video phones, tablets, desktops, touchscreen solutions and large-format video walls. This acquisition, following the recently announced acquisition of Jupiter Systems, adds U.S. to the InFocus product line and makes them a full-service end-to-end provider as they make every part of the system, now (sans the cameras).
This acquisition enables InFocus to offer video conferencing at prices that are affordable for all budgets, whether it’s connecting to a distant classroom or campus, or connecting an entire global infrastructure. Affordable video conferencing from InFocus is driving the ubiquitous use and democratization of advanced technology by making solutions accessible for all sizes of businesses, schools and facilities.
Avistar software technology is already deployed in the Mondopad video conferencing system as well as the various calling services, such as ConX, InFocus provides.
With the purchase, InFocus has acquired all assets and says it will keep all 24 software engineers to continue innovating and improving the video conferencing intellectual property.
Infocus is here and Aviator is here. Leave a Comment
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InfoComm Releases New Standard to Harmonize Cable Labeling PracticesInfoComm announced the publication of a new audiovisual standard, Cable Labeling for Audiovisual Systems (CLAS). The new standard defines requirements for labeling cables used in installed AV systems and provides guidance for the easy identification of all power and signal paths in a completed system. Proper cable labeling aids in the operation, support, maintenance and troubleshooting of AV systems.
InfoComm will present the new standard at a free plenary session during Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2016 in Amsterdam. The plenary will be held February 11 from 15:30 to 17:30 in room D403 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre. Interested parties can register here.
“Consistent, clear labeling of interconnected cables, which serve as the core of integrated systems, is very important,” said John Bailey, CTS-D, CTS-I, vice president of technology at Whitlock and chair of the InfoComm task group that developed the CLAS standard. “It is critical that cables are labeled in a consistent and methodical way, especially as large, complex and facility-wide systems become more commonplace.”
The standard marks a new milestone in InfoComm’s development of consensus standards that benefit the AV industry by raising the bar on quality and professionalism in systems integration and design. Unlike previously published InfoComm standards, which adhere to requirements set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Cable Labeling for Audiovisual Systems, was developed independently of ANSI, using the same principles of openness, balance, consensus and due process. The new process, which is overseen by the InfoComm Standards Steering Committee and operates concurrently with ANSI/InfoComm standards development, allows InfoComm to release more rapidly standards that are specific to the AV industry. Potential standards are identified for development by the steering committee, chaired by Jason Brameld, technical director of Torpedo Factory Group.
“A primary driver behind the introduction of InfoComm-specific standards was the fact that a standard such as AV cable labeling would only be required by AV practitioners,” Brameld said. “It is not something that allied trades would necessarily refer to.”
InfoComm is an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer (ASD). More than 700 industry volunteers support InfoComm’s standards development, which has resulted in six ANSI-certified standards, plus a joint standard with the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) and the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) governing the use of audio, video, and control architectural drawing symbols. A draft ANSI/InfoComm standard, Display Image Size for 2D Content in Audiovisual Systems, is currently in public review. For more on InfoComm standards, go here.
“We took the best practices of standards development and streamlined some of the rigor required by third-party accreditation,” Bailey explained. “By doing this, we can bring to market industry-specific AV standards faster while still focusing on broader ANSI-accredited standards.”
After the InfoComm Standards Steering Committee selected Cable Labeling for Audiovisual Systems for development, an international task group began defining the scope, definitions and requirements. The standard was presented to the AV industry for review and comments were collected and incorporated. The final standard includes guidance on required primary elements as well as unique identifiers; other identifiers, such as those for cables meant to be accessed by users; and cable label characteristics, including durability, legibility, text fonts, location and orientation. The standard is free for InfoComm members and available for purchase through the ANSI or IHS standards stores.
In addition to John Bailey and Jason Brameld, members of the CLAS task group included Brad Baldwin, Technical Innovation; Walter Black, Ph.D., VidCAD; and Peter Swanson, CTS, AMX Australia.
“InfoComm thanks the committed volunteer experts who guided and authored the Cable Labeling for Audiovisual Systems standard,” said Ann Brigida, CTS, director of standards for InfoComm International. “The development by InfoComm of AV industry-specific standards is possible, in part, due to the success, recognition and authority established over nearly a decade of developing ANSI-accredited standards. This new development process will get AV standards into the hands of professionals who need them as soon as possible so they can adopt industry best practices and drive their businesses forward.”
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BARCO to Introduce Two New ClickShare Models at ISE Barco’s new CS-100 and CSE-200 join the current lineup of ClickShare models — you may remember that ClickShare lets you share your content on the large meeting room screen by simply pushing a button — whether of a USB-device you connect to your laptop PC or MAC, or by using the user-friendly app for iPhone, iPad or Android. What’s more, ClickShare also automatically displays the most optimal resolution, without messing up the layout on your laptop.
With the release of the CS-100, Barco offers the first ClickShare unit designed for small meeting and huddle rooms where sharing is a basic need. The CS-100 is a stand-alone model with an HDMI output, that allows up to eight users to connect and, with one user sharing at a time. This can either be done using the ClickShare Button, or the ClickShare App. The CS-100 includes the standard ClickShare security features including encryption, login management, https and the possibility to hide the SSID of the Base Unit’s wireless network.
The CSE-200 has been developed for enterprise rollouts which require enhanced security features, a wider range of connectivity options including AirPlay support or central management. This unit can be integrated into the company network, enabling remote management. Two users can share on screen at the same time — either via ClickShare Buttons, the ClickShare App, or a combination of the two. The CSE-200 is ideal for standard meeting rooms, creating a perfect environment to spark creativity. For user convenience, security features of the CSE-200 can be set to one of three predefined levels, depending on the company’s policies and needs. Last but not least, the device’s API also makes integration into the company network a lot easier.
The CS-100 and CSE-200 units will have their trade show premiere on the Barco stand at ISE (Amsterdam, 9-12 February, booth 11-F100). You can learn about the new ClickShare models here. Leave a Comment
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Biamp Systems Launches Devio Audio Collaboration Tool for Huddle RoomsBiamp Systems today unveiled its new Devio collaboration system, created specifically for huddle rooms.
With as little as a single USB 3.0 connection to a Windows or Mac OS X-based computer, Devio brings an audio input and output and easy connectivity to in-room technology including displays, Web cameras and more. Once connected to the CR-1, end users can share content locally and initiate their preferred soft codec from their computers with no additional software applications or devices to learn how to use. With embedded DisplayLink USB graphics technology, Devio is able to send and receive audio and video over USB and extend the computer desktop to two displays.
Enabling flexible options to create the ideal huddle room setup, the CR-1 back panel includes two HDMI outputs to support in-room displays, a USB 2.0 port for USB Web camera connectivity, and a four-pin headset jack for phone bridging. Audio output options include an integrated 20W powered two-pin connector for rooms using passive speaker options or an RCA-out for amplifier connection. Devio includes Auto Setup, which automates the setting of audio input and output levels — reducing installation time and ensuring remote participants can hear and be heard. Multiple CR-1 units in an installation can be managed centrally using the Devio software administration utility (SAU) or via SNMP, and firmware and configurations can be mass deployed.
Devio comes bundled with the DTM-1 beam forming microphone and the eight-element DTM-1 microphone features 360-degree coverage collected from three 120-degree zones, tracking voices in each zone and mixing audio from multiple zones — giving remote conference participants a natural representation of the conversation as it occurs. Devio utilizes Biamp expertise in acoustic echo cancellation and noise reduction to further optimize meeting audio. And, the CR-1 features a mounting clip that enables it to be installed on top of or under the room’s work surface, or even mounted on a wall behind a display. The DTM-1 can also be mounted to the table, minimizing cables and securing the microphone’s position in the room.
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Sharp Isn’t Dead Yet, Intros Three New MonitorsThere’s a lot of talk around the tech industry about how Sharp’s HQ is hemorrhaging money. We even wrote a story two weeks ago about the potential of them being bought by Foxconn who’s now offering $5.5 Billion for them.
But, all the while, Sharp continues to crank out new models — including three this week (two AQUOS BOARDS and one 80” 4K model). The two AQUOS BOARDS, the 70” PN-L703W and 60” PN-L603W are both 1080p models that include wireless touch and BYOD functionality (to allow for four inputs to be displayed simultaneously). The AQUOS BOARDS are aimed at both education and small meeting room installs instead of using a projector. The third display is the PN-H801, an 80” 4K resolution (3840×2160) display that includes the ability to display 4K at 60fps and has 4 HDMI inputs. The PN-H801 display can play slideshows and videos without the need for a PC as it has a built-in USB-based media player for digital signage applications. The PN-H801 display has an ultra-slim bezel and built-in speakers. It weighs only 119 lbs. and has carrying handles in all four corners, allowing for easy transport and installation.
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Planar Launches New PlanarView Visualization App Planar Systems today introduced the PlanarView Visualization App, an augmented reality tool that they say transforms the way people envision and plan their display environments.
The free app for display solutions, PlanarView makes it possible to virtually design and visualize display solutions into a user’s actual environment. Utilizing augmented reality technology, this app enables customers to overlay Planar displays on top of photos of their actual spaces, design product arrays and provides a realistic visualization of their designs.
Here’s a video on how it works.
Using PlanarView, AV integrators, architects and interior designers can streamline the design and planning process by offering a design for commercial display solutions to their customers—all quickly and easily at the touch of a smartphone or tablet.
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AptoVision Unveils Plethora at ISEAptoVision will introduce Plethora at ISE. Plethora claims to be the first fully in-line engine for high fidelity processing of uncompressed audio and video signals across the network. AptoVision says that Plethora provides broadcast-quality scaling, color space conversion, frame rate conversion and several new audio functions including audio embedding and de-embedding.
Available on its BlueRiver NT+ and new BlueRiver 400 chipsets, the Plethora engine is named for the numerous functions it integrates into a single, in-line, zero-frame latency signal processing subsystem. These functions include broadcast-quality scaling, visually “indistinguishable” light compression (described below), color space conversion, frame rate conversion, audio embedding/de-embedding, audio down-mixing and audio re-sampling.
Optimized for video, graphics and text quality, the Plethora engine supports both upscaling and downscaling of motion video, graphics and text for resolutions up to true 4K/60/4:4:4. Applications include video-wall, multi-view and true seamless switching between sources of different resolutions.
Mathematically lossless for most content, this 1.4:1 ratio compression codec delivers images that AptoVision says are virtually indistinguishable from the uncompressed image. While almost all resolutions can be supported in uncompressed mode, this feature is most useful when small bandwidth savings are needed to deliver a unique resolution within a limited bandwidth envelope.
Analog or digital audio from any transmitter can be embedded into the HDMI output of any receiver on the same AV network. Conversely, digital audio from any transmitter can be de-embedded and sent to any receiver in its native format or down-mixed from LPCM to two-channel audio.
More details on Plethora will be available on the website after ISE. Leave a Comment
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Extron Introduces HDMI Audio Embedder with Support for 4KExtron just introduced the HAI 100 4K, an audio embedder that embeds two-channel analog audio or digital two-channel S/PDIF audio onto the HDMI output signal. The HAI 100 4K includes an HDMI input, analog stereo audio and S/PDIF audio inputs, as well as an HDMI output. It is HDCP compliant, supports data rates up to 10.2 Gbps, and is compatible with video resolutions up to 4K. The HAI 100 4K includes features such as adjustable gain control for the analog audio input, EDID Minder for simplified EDID management between the input source and the display, plus HDMI input cable equalization and comprehensive LED status display. The compact 1″ (2.5 cm) high, quarter rack width enclosure size simplifies installation in a variety of applications.
This versatile audio embedder is ideal for applications requiring audio from a sound system to be embedded with an HDMI video signal, supporting systems that rely on HDMI for signal distribution. Additionally, to compensate for signal loss over long input cables, incoming HDMI signals are equalized up to 50 feet (15 meters) at 4K or 100 feet (30 meters) at 1080p/60. LEDs on the front panel offer comprehensive, real-time device status monitoring, including HDMI input and output signal presence, and HDCP authentication.
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MediaWall V 4K UHD Display Processor Adds Multiple Wall CapabilityRGB Spectrum’s MediaWall V 4K UHD video wall processors can now do multiple walls. The multiple wall option lets you operate up to 3 independent walls from a single MediaWall V processor.
This option is designed for security operations centers (SOCs), emergency operations centers (EOCs), control rooms, and other applications where you have more than one video wall in a room or additional video walls installed in adjacent rooms and each video wall is completely independent allowing different wall geometries (e.g., 1×6, 2×3) with unique window layouts, presets, and source routing.
The MediaWall V processor supports up to 36 video/graphic direct inputs and up to 28 outputs/display devices. It processes a full range of I/O resolutions including 4K (4096×2160), UHD (3840×2160), 2K (2048×1152/1080), and HD (1920×1080) — RGB Spectrum does NOT specify a 4K color sampling rate, however. Inputs are fully scalable for output to a UHD video wall or for display on standard video walls. An optional Application Processor (AP) decodes IP camera and other H.264 streams. HDCP capability allows the display of protected content.
RGB says the 4K video wall processor can display any configuration of window layouts across a multi-screen array. Windows can be sized as required anywhere, within or across screen boundaries, in any aspect ratio and zoomed in to emphasize details.
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AptoVision Announces BlueRiver 400, a 4K to IT ChipAptoVision (known by most of you for their BlueRiver NT stuff that companies use to send HDMI and RGB via the network) has announced BlueRiver 400, an integrated chipset for processing and extending 4K/60/4:4:4 AV signals. The new chipset incorporates Plethora, AptoVision’s newly engine for advanced audio and video signal processing, and claims to deliver the industry’s longest signal extension range of up to 250 meters on CAT-x and 30 kilomters on fiber cabling.
In addition to zero-frame latency transmission and end-to-end processing of video and audio signals, the BlueRiver 400 extends GbE, USB 2.0, RS-232 and IR signals. Its support for CAT-x or fiber cable types also it claims to reduce the complexity of design and simplifies procurement and inventory management for manufacturers.
Details aren’t on the company’s website, yet, but when they are, they will be here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Introduces eBUSExtron just launched something cool called eBUS – a family of button panels and accessories. eBUS button panels are fully-customizable AV system control interfaces that utilize a unique digital bus architecture designed to allow for easy control system expansion, more design options, and future upgrades. Button panels are connected to each other and an IPCP Pro control processor with a single cable that carries both power and communication.This efficient, expandable design allows a button panel to be used as a single user interface in a smaller system or combined with other button panels and touchpanels when a more elaborate control system is required.
The EBP 100 and EBP 200 eBUS Button Panels are part of the growing eBUS family. These are two and three-gang pushbutton control interfaces that perform a wide variety of AV system functions such as display On/Off, input switching, volume control, and much more. They feature dual-colored, backlit buttons that provide easy operation in low-light environments and a volume knob for smooth, precise volume adjustments. Two eBUS ports are available for easy system expansion. The EBP 100 mounts in a two-gang junction box, and the EBP 200 mounts in a three-gang junction box. Included mud rings provide convenient mounting in lecterns, tabletops, or other flat surfaces.
Since eBUS button panels have the same physical appearance as Extron’s range of MediaLink controllers, they can be used alongside these controllers throughout a facility while preserving a consistent look and user experience. Buttons can be easily customized using Extron Button Label Generator software or by using the online Custom Button Builder application.
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Christie Launches Three New Boxer Models With 20K, 25K and 30K LumensChristie, today, ahead of ISE, launched three new Boxer models with 2K resolution and 20,000, 25,000 and 30,000 center lumens, depending on the model.
Now available in multiple software performance configurations, the Christie Boxer Series offers choices based on resolution, brightness and budget requirements. With an upgrade path to higher brightness, resolution and performance capabilities, users pay only for what they need today, with an eye to the future.
The Christie Boxer Series includes single-phase power operation, built-in warping and blending, omni-directional installation capabilities and a full-range of connectivity.
The Christie Boxer 4K30 model features 4K resolution and 30K center lumens; models 2K20, 2K25 and 2K30 feature 2K resolution and 20K, 25K and 30K center lumens, respectively.
The new projectors also offer Christie TruLife Lite, which delivers what Christie says is 300 Mpx/s and provides superior video processing for 2K and HD sources. Featuring a floating-point processing engine with the equivalent of 25 bits fixed point processing resolution, Christie TruLife Lite provides increased dynamic range and superior scaling for an exceptional visual experience. They are also field-upgradable.
Other Christie Boxer 2K20, 2K25 and 2K30 specs include:
- Compact, lightweight and rugged design
- 360-degree omni-directional installation capabilities
- Connectivity via 3G-SDI, DisplayPort, HDBaseT, DVI, HDMI, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, 12G-SDI and fiber input
- Built-in Christie Twist image warping and blending software
- 3DLP image quality and reliability
- Easy rigging and stacking
- At-a-glance source and status updates on lamp hours, voltage, temperature and warnings that can be sent directly to a mobile device or web browser
- Integrated Near Field Communication (NFC) lets users track lamp information using a mobile device
- On-board toolkit
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Digital Projection to Debut 13K DarkChip Projector at ISE Digital Projection will add to its 3-chip DarkChip DLP-based HIGHlite Laser large venue projector range at ISE with the new HIGHlite Laser II (13,000 ANSI lumens). Digital Projection says that their video processing is improved and the refresh-rate is now 120Hz for the DisplayPort input and 120Hz or 60Hz for HDMI. The 2,000:1 contrast ratio projector is spec’d at 20,000 hours for a solid state laser phosphor light source.
The HIGHlite Laser II includes image edge blending and geometric warp correction. Also in 3D, it includes frame rates up to 144Hz. Two HDMI 1.4, DVI and 3G-SDI inputs are included, as well as HDBaseT connectivity.
It’s not on their website yet, but when it is, it will be here. Leave a Comment
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Panasonic Expands SOLID SHINE Series With 5,000-Lumen Laser Phosphor ProjectorPanasonic today introduced a new PT-RZ570U 1-Chip DLP Laser Phosphor projector as part of its new SOLID SHINE series aimed at education.
Utilizing the latest WUXGA DLP resolution chip (1920×1200), the PT-RZ570U’s is specified at 5,000 lumens and a 20,000:1 contrast ratio. Features include Dynamic Mode (designed to increase image brightness) and Standard Mode/Graphic Mode (which adjusts color-wheel timing to produce higher saturated colors).
A filter-less projector with a sealed optical engine block, Panasonic says the PT-RZ570U requires no maintenance for up to 20,000 hours. It also uses a heat-pipe cooling system and robust heat sink work to reduce fan speed, cutting operational noise to just 29 dB on Silent Mode.
The PT-RZ570U features include free 360-degree (vertical and horizontal) installation with auto image rotation for ceiling mounting, 2x zoom lens, extra-wide-range manual lens shift, curved screen and corner keystone correction, Geometric Control, Wave Form Monitor and a HDBaseT-compliant DIGITAL LINK single-cable connection. DIGITAL LINK allows video and control signal transmission for up to 492 ft in Long Reach Mode when used together with Panasonic’s optional ET-YFB200G DIGITAL LINK network switcher.
Edge blending and color matching functions are built in for multi-screen installations and other features such as instant ON/OFF capability, Fade In/Fade Out, Picture-in-Picture modes and Eco Management.
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Epson Launches New Laser and Lamp-Based Models at ISEWith 10,000 lumens brightness and WUXGA resolution, the black EB-Z10005U is a new installation projector from Epson. Able to project portrait aspect images for digital signage, the EB-Z10005U has a flexible installation angle, lens shift for off-centre positioning and plenty of calibration options, with optional Wi-Fi and HDBaseT connectivity. At 10,000 lumens the EB-Z10005U is Epson’s brightest WUXGA resolution projector yet. This projector uses 3LCD technology and includes plenty of calibration options such as edge blending, test patterns, frame interpolation and Epson’s Super Resolution feature.
The EB-Z10005U includes HDBaseT, which allows up to five connections in one and it includes a new and exclusive LU02 short throw lens allows this projector to be positioned closer to the screen.
Alongside these new laser models, Epson is exhibiting its new EB-G7000 (EB-G7800, EB-G7200W, EB-G7000W, EB-G7905U, EB-G7900U, EB-G7400U) lamp-based range. Designed for use in office meeting rooms, lecture theaters or large classrooms, the new range features a host of quality, functionality and usability improvements to help transform large-venue spaces with high-quality, professional-looking presentations.
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Altinex Debuts TNP461 Tilt ‘N Plug International Tabletop Interconnect BoxAltinex has introduced the TNP461 Tilt ’N Plug International Tabletop Interconnect Box. Designed for mounting into tables, podiums, or other furniture, the new TNP461 is an international model with a universal power connector designed to accommodate multiple countries. As a pre-configured, compact hybrid interconnect solution that includes audio, network, USB and video ports.
The new Altinex TNP461 interconnect box ships with a standard top and bezel offering a high quality matte black finish. Other finishes or special bezel configurations are available upon request. The standard configuration incorporates VGA and HDMI video connectors (one each), a 3.5-millimeter audio connector, one USB port, and a universal power receptacle for the user input. The universal power receptacle is connected to a supply side cable terminated in an IEC60320 C14 connector, with a cable length of 1.5 feet.
The TNP461 interconnect box’s input plate is accessed by pushing down on the top cover. The unit then auto-tilts open with assistance from an internal spring. Once open, the input plate remains securely in place. The input plate is hidden, or closed, by pressing down on the top cover until the latching mechanism engages. In its closed position, the top panel lies flush with the table’s top, held in place by the latching mechanism. This secure fit also means less chance for paperwork to catch the TNP461’s edges when being passed across a table.
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TSL Products to Launch Vertical Power Distribution at ISETSL Products will debt new Vertical Power Distribution Units (VPDUs), on Stand 11.F80 at ISE 2016.
The new vertical power units are based on TSL Products’ successful horizontal PDUs used by major broadcasters worldwide for effective power management. The vertical design not only saves rack space but also features fully configurable alarming, real-time measurement and on-board data logging. All of this information is available either through the built-in webserver or via SNMP for alarming, monitoring and logging. And, they use IEC connectors so they’re universally compatible all around the world.
The Basic VPDU is a dual 32A inlet, with each inlet powering twenty individually fused C13 outlets with its high density it is only 1800mm tall. The unit has been designed with ease of use and reliability in mind with color coded status LED’s. The “intelligent” VPDUs have IP connectivity and can communicate to infrastructure management software over SNMP, allowing users to control and monitor the power across their entire facility.
In the event of a failed fuse, an overvoltage measurement, or intruder in the rack room, users can rely on alarms, email alerts and full reports of the fault, allowing them to rectify the problem quickly to ensure maximum uptime.
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Legrand Introduces Evolution Series 10-Inch Poke-Thru Connector ManagementLegrand today introduced its newest addition to the Wiremold product line: the Evolution Series 10-inch poke-thru device. Designed with a durable cover assembly, the device offers eight individual gangs of communication, A/V, and power capacity, and eliminates the need for junction boxes because of industry-first internally wired connections. Users can mix and match devices, ports and receptacles to configure each of the eight gangs to suit their individual requirements.
Legrand says they are the first manufacturer to offer wired connections inside a poke-thru device; that eliminates the need for a junction box. As a result, the device occupies much less vertical space or depth in the floor and is therefore less obtrusive when installed in open-ceiling buildings.
The Evolution 10-inch poke-thru installs easily, making it an ideal choice for both retrofit and new-construction applications. To make service additions and changes, users simply lift the unit out of its installed position in the floor.
The device’s die-cast aluminum covers are built to withstand up to 700 pounds of pressure as well as the heavy traffic encountered in open spaces. Covers are manufactured with a durable, self-aligning hinge assembly and swivel a full 180 degrees to open. When compared to traditional flip-top covers, the fully open cover is expected to reduce tripping incidents.
Evolution Series 10-inch poke-thru devices are designed with spring-loaded, patented slide egress doors that not only accommodate the space required for cables to exit the device, but also shut automatically when the user closes the cover. Aesthetically updated, the cover has a symmetrical design with a built-in handle for easy access and is available in eight finishes, enabling designers and specifiers to better coordinate it with a room’s decor.
The device is UL-listed and UL-fire-classified for up to two hours in accordance with U.S. and Canadian safety standards. It also meets all scrub water requirements.
Wiremold solutions are available through Middle Atlantic Products. The line is here. Leave a Comment
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dnp Ships Supernova BladeThe dnp Supernova Blade is a frameless front projection screen designed for use in meeting rooms, retail environments and residential applications to create a floating-like image. Only 3 millimeters thick and available in sizes 100”, 110” and 120” in 16:9, it’s also available in custom sizes. The screen has a clean look and slim-line format that suit modern architecture and interiors well.
Made with ISF-certified Supernova 08-85 or with 23-23 material, dnp Supernova Blade has a built-in optical filter which absorbs ambient light and boosts contrast. The result is vivid, sharp images with up to 7 times higher contrast than conventional front projection screens. The screen’s light- absorbing capabilities eliminate the need for a dedicated darkened room and thus extend the opportunities for quality viewing into a much broader range of environments.
The Supernova Blade is easy to install and can be mounted in two ways: either hung on the wall or suspended from the ceiling. When wall-mounted, its super-slim format gives the effect of a “window into the world.” When suspended from the ceiling by almost invisible wires, the effect is even more dramatic — it appears to be floating in mid-air. The screen design is also space-saving — an additional advantage in retail situations and other commercial applications where design aesthetics and space are important.
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ARTHUR HOLM Launches Horizontally Retracting Mic SystemARTHUR HOLM announces the launch of a unique horizontally retracting system for “gooseneck type” microphones during Integrated Systems Europe 2016. This innovative retracting system can be very easily veneered and it provides a minimum depth, being therefore ideal for furniture integration. It allows the microphone to be bent and automatically takes it back to its original horizontal position.
DynamicTalkH not only makes the microphone disappear within the desk surface but it also provides a pleasant interior light to indicate its status. Microphones are safely stored and protected and the meeting and conference rooms become versatile to be used for different purposes.
DynamicTalkH has two different working modes: PA and conference. When in PA mode, a push button that disappears together with the microphone within the desk, allows to activate or de-activate the microphone. The interior light will indicate the status by changing color, from green to red. The microphone will be automatically silenced in retracted position. When in conference mode, the microphone will always be active and both the light and the access to the push button will be available through a connector (GPI/GPO). In this mode, the system is ready to be connected and controlled through a conference system.
DynamicTalkH can be remotely controlled and diagnosable though the AHnet open protocol. More information is here. Leave a Comment
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Radial Announces the Di-NET DAN-TX and DiNET DAN-RX, Dante Enabled Direct BoxesRadial Engineering has introduced the DiNET DAN-TX and DiNET DAN-RX, Dante-enabled direct boxes. The Di-NET DAN-TX is the world’s first Dante enabled stereo direct box. Equipped with ¼”, RCA and stereo 3.5-millimeter input jacks, the DAN-TX allows the user to connect instruments or line level sources directly to networked audio systems using the Dante protocol. The DAN-TX features 24bit/96kHz analog to digital conversion to provide the highest audio quality, and a local 3.5-millimeter headphone output provides the means to quickly test audio.
The DiNET DAN-RX is a 24bit/96kHZ digital to analog endpoint that allows the user to output audio from a Dante network to stereo systems. The DAN-RX is equipped with left and right balanced XLR outputs with a level control that allows for connection to microphone inputs up to +4dBu line level systems. A local 3.5 mm headphone output is provided to test or monitor audio before connection to the PA System.
Both the DiNET DAN-TX and DiNET DAN-RX are here. Leave a Comment
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Primacoustic Introduces New Paintables Clouds
The new Paintables clouds include the circular Cirrus, the hexagonal Hexus and the square Altos. Each panel is made from 1-1/2″ thick high density 6-pound glass wool for exceptionally even absorption and feature resin hardened edges with micromesh that together fully encapsulate the panel to prevent dusting. Paintables are factory painted on all sides in absolute white latex and ready for mounting. Unique to their design is a proprietary surface than enables one to lightly spray paint the panels on-site to color-match the decor without affecting the acoustical performance.
Paintables clouds are the ideal sound abatement solution for any space where communication is vital and acoustic treatment must integrate with the aesthetics of the room: houses of worship, conference centers, restaurants, boardrooms, educational facilities, community halls, hotel auditoriums, broadcast facilities, museums, retail, home theaters, recording studios, gymnasiums and performance halls.
Installation is easy. For larger spaces, a selection of hanging hardware allows the Paintable Clouds to be suspended horizontally or vertically from the ceiling, absorbing energy on both sides for maximum efficiency. The same panels may be wall-mounted using the company’s proprietary Surface Impaler technology to create a distinctive wall treatment.
The Cirrus, Hexus and Altos are available in 36″ and 48″ diameters. As with all Primacoustic panels, Paintables have been independently tested for acoustic performance and re-tested to achieve the most stringent Class-A ratings.
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Revolabs Intros New Mics Into Its Elite Wired LineRevolabs today announced it has added new products to its Elite Wired family of conferencing microphones. The new Elite Wired Microphones with Local and External Control come in a variety of formats and colors and add enhanced mute functionality to the company’s wired microphone offering.
New to the Elite Wired line is a five-wire microphone that augments its three-wire predecessor, offering local control of push-to-talk, push-to-mute and mute toggle control, as well as integration with DSP systems for programmable remote mute control. The five-wire version also incorporates an LED for visual indication of the mute state, so users always know whether the mics are live or muted.
Ideal for environments that use wired, wireless, or a combination of the two microphone types, the Elite Wired Microphones with Local and External Control provide the same user interface and experience as other microphones in the Elite Wired and Executive Elite wireless microphone families. The ability to operate a hybrid-mic setup increases the maximum number of microphones available in a space and combines wireless flexibility with the security of wired microphones.
As with all Revolabs microphones, the new Elite Wired Microphones provide superior audio quality and set new standards for signal-to-noise ratio and range of supported frequencies. They are available in directional and omnidirectional versions, as well as 6-inch and 12-inch gooseneck versions, and come in black, white and brushed nickel to match a variety of interior designs and architectural environments.
The directional and omnidirectional versions of Revolabs’ Elite Wired Microphones with Local and External Control are shipping now. Revolabs is accepting orders for the gooseneck models for imminent delivery.
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Symetrix Adds to Dante DSP Product Line With Launch of PrismSymetrix has announced the launch of its Prism digital signal processing platform. Joining the manufacturer’s line of Dante-enabled DSPs, Symetrix Prism has been developed to deliver networked audio processing for a wide range of installed sound applications.
Symetrix Prism is comprised of four products, varying only in I/O count and form factor. Prism 4×4 features four inputs and four outputs, power over Ethernet (PoE+) and a compact ½ rack format. Prism 8×8 (eight in, eight out), 12×12 (12 in, 12 out) and 16×16 (16 in, 16 out) utilize an external power supply along with a 1U form factor. DSP, analog audio, and converter technologies are identical in all four products. Prism features the same digital signal processing power, mic preamps and AD/DA converters as Symetrix’ award-winning Radius and Edge products, delivering exceptional sound quality, while providing expansion via 64 channels of bi-directional Dante networking.
Integrators can customize, connect, and configure Prism using Symetrix Composer, a highly-accoladed Windows-based CAD program. Prism can be controlled from Symetrix ARC wall panels, ARC-WEB browser-based interface and third-party touchscreens. An embedded web server enables remote audio metering and diagnostics of Prism hardware. Prism features an easy to read OLED display, while Symetrix ARC, Dante and Ethernet ports are standard issue.
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Mackie Extends SRM Portable Series With 1200W SRM1550 SubwooferMackie just launched a new subwoofer built from the ground up to be the companion to its SRM450 and SRM350 powered loudspeakers, dubbed the SRM1550 Portable Powered Subwoofer. Featuring a powerful 1200-watt amplifier, custom high-output 15-inch woofer, digital variable crossover, the new SRM1550 is front-ported. Equipped with stereo XLR inputs, full-range and high-pass outputs, the SRM1550 also features a variable digital crossover that includes presets for the Mackie SRM350 and SRM450, for simple and fast setup at every gig. Plus, built-in Smart Protect DSP protects the 15-inch woofer when pushed to the limit. Compact, lightweight and affordable, these subs are ideal for being used with the SRM Portable Series for a PA setup.
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