Volume 14, Issue 4 — February 22, 2017
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Industry News TVs Control & Signal Processing Projection Audio Lighting Cables, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens and Accessories
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We Have a Plan But It Doesn’t Work!
By Frederick Ampel President & Principal, Technology Visions Analytics
Suppose you were one of the United States largest businesses, with your estimated net valuation exceeding 63 billion dollars, with gross revenue over 9 billion. Your 32 divisions average over $300 million in gross profit every year, and your divisional COO’s average salary is over 8 million, without considering anything but cash compensation. Who would you be? Have you figured it out yet?
You are the NFL!
Now, you choose to deploy new technology to each and every COO (head coach), in a 400 million dollar endorsement deal with Microsoft. By mandate every coaching staff WILL use Microsoft Surface tablets for every game. There is no option, and there is no pre-deployment discussion on how this is being implemented. It is simply a fait-accompli by direct orders from NFL headquarters in New York City, period.
There Is No Pre-Deployment Discussion
This plan, or lack of one, depending on your perspective, is not unique to the NFL, or for that matter thousands of companies, enterprises and educational institutions across the country and around the world.
A decision is made to implement, deploy, require, mandate or otherwise force technology and devices into the hands of users with little if any consultation with those users or any evaluation of whether what is being planned actually makes any sense or is even practical. Forget about in-field testing and debugging, just ship the stuff out and make it work, if you can, later — the AV system version of the old recording adage “we’ll fix it in the mix.” Yeah! Right! Sure you will!
Too many of the folks that technology is intended to help end up actually resenting the technology.
In the AV integration industry, this is nothing new. How often have we heard stories about how long it takes to launch a video call or meeting?
The AV industry is battling negative stereotypes. “AV — that’s the stuff that doesn’t work,” is practically a mantra in the corporate world, especially among the IT-based purchasers of today.
But you, dear reader, who are probably one of the folks who work for the integration firms that are actually responsible for providing audio, video, communications and automation solutions for organizations shouldn’t be laughing. You should be afraid, very afraid, and if you’re not already doing so, paying VERY close attention to this seemingly built-in perception of your customer base.
All of these issues have been a problem forever it seems. But recently they achieved front-page, lead story, breaking news status, when one of the COO’s who just happens to be the head coach of the New England Patriots delivered a VERY public rant, which exploded in every media format you can think of.
All of These Issues Have Been a Problem Forever It Seems
You may have caught bits and pieces, but it is worth looking at precisely what was said, and why.
What Coach Belichick actually said in his rant was: “As you probably noticed, I’m done with the tablets. I’ve given them as much time as I can give them. They’re just too undependable for me. I’m going to stick with pictures … because there just isn’t enough consistency in the performance of the tablets, so I just can’t take it anymore. The many other critical in-game (emphasis added) communication systems, including the press box to the coaches on the field, the coach on the field to the signal caller or the coach-to-quarterback, coach-to-signal caller system, all have repeatedly failed for us on a regular basis.” (This was a sentiment supported by about half the league’s coaching staffs, according to multiple ESPN on air and online reports aired after the Belichick comments).
He added, “There are very few games that we play, home or away, day, night, cold, hot, preseason, regular season, postseason — it doesn’t make any difference — where there aren’t issues in some form or fashion with the communications or computer equipment.” (Based on the data reported by ESPN, USA Today, and others, that means that out of the total of 512 in-season games played by the league’s 32 teams, about 15 percent have no major issues — which means that 85 percent of the games or roughly 430 games per season have some major communications- or Surface tablet-related problems.)
What Belichick was referring to is the seemingly randomly selected mishmash of headsets in the helmets, wireless belt packs, the league proscribed Internet service connections, all of which are controlled by, approved for in-game use by, selected by and provided by the league from multiple manufacturers, including a well known major audio company in New England, whose logo is on coaching headsets. The various systems (from multiple vendors) are of course using an assortment of RF frequencies or wireless mic bands (the belt packs Belichick mentioned), without, it seems, anyone having done what every knowledgeable live sound company would do automatically — check every system for interference and channel availability at each game location of each game day.
Compounding the issue, Belichick and multiple other coaching staffs noted (again based on reports aired by ESPN and others) the fact that ‘this is all league equipment so we don’t have it during the week.’
I don’t know about you but logically speaking, is it remotely sensible given the HUGE dollars at stake in every game, every week, for every team, that they would have no opportunity to work with these systems all the time and be able to find the guaranteed problems and troubleshoot and correct them for each game BEFORE game day?
Is It Remotely Sensible That Users Have No Chance to Work With the Hardware Before It’s Critical?
But no — the teams only get the equipment a few hours before the game. Belichick pointed out “that’s the first chance our staff (and of course the opponents’ staff as well) has to test it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. We hope that by game time it is working but more often it is not.”
That’s bad enough but he also pointed out that “during the game… (it is almost a sure bet that) something will happen and it has to be fixed.” That means every team’s tech coordinator and the venue staffs have to figure out, in real time, on national television, is it a battery, the particular player’s helmet, the battery on the coach’s pack or any one of perhaps 15 or 20 other failure options? Doesn’t that sound like a cardiac event-inducing situation — and add in the league’s equity rule that mandates that if one team’s gear drops dead, then the other team’s system has to be shut down to maintain “a level playing field.” This rule affects some but not all systems.
How that particular concept was created remains a mystery to the teams and their staffs, but it is ‘league policy,’ without any explanation. It just is.
Are you wondering by this point just what incredibly naive rules committee or league executive approved this idea and continues to allow this situation to exist? I sure am! (For the full Belichick rant video, go here.)
Did anyone at the top ask the people who have to use these systems to test them out in advance or work with the multiple vendors to insure compatibility, reliability and user functionality? Doesn’t seem that they did, does it?
Unfortunately, this scenario is all too familiar to buyers and end users in the corporate, commercial and hospitality worlds, and our industry is, in many ways, responsible. We don’t determine if what we are providing will work for the people it is intended to serve. This is why so many of the folks that all our glossy digital technology is intended to help end up resenting it at best and hating it all too often.
So Many of the Folks That All Our Glossy Digital Technology Is Intended to Help End Up Resenting It
Think about for a moment, or perhaps have a sleepless night digesting the ramifications. How often have you heard stories about how long it takes to launch a video call or meeting, or the educator who can’t figure out how to use the slick new lectern AV control touch panel with multiple soft keys, or the sales presenter whose 2016 laptop won’t interface with the 2014 presentation system, because the connectors don’t match up?
We are creating a whole generation of users/buyers/decision makers who come into the process with significant doubts and a huge lack of trust in what we say or do. Why? Because we fail to do something so basic, it should be blatantly obvious. ASK the user/buyer about the design and hardware upfront. Provide them a hands-on demonstration to find out if what you propose will actually work for them in their specific situation. Is that educator or company CEO comfortable with that touch panel controller or confused and uneasy enough to not want to use it?
No one running or managing an organization wants to be or can afford to be apprehensive about their infrastructure.
Belichick represents essentially every customer. He might not be the person you’re selling to or the person you’re training. But he’s the person behind the scenes who’s angry when the system isn’t intuitive enough for him to use — or when it simply doesn’t work.
While that infamous quote about AV, that it’s “the stuff that doesn’t work,” is simply not true, it is the stuff that requires ongoing support. The NFL, based on Belichick’s description, is doing its teams a disservice by not providing embedded service technicians to quickly address potential issues with systems that, for them, are mission critical. Are you making the same mistake with your customers, by not offering ongoing service and support up-front as part of the whole project package?
Too many AV integration firms are doing their customers a disservice when they take “no” for an answer when it comes to service contracts. You know, and the customer will rapidly discover, how mission-critical video communication is for most organizations. The powerful folks behind the scenes that depend on it, like Coach Belichick, will be more than willing to pay for that peace of mind.
And just one more thing… it should be pointed out that Microsoft, which generates on average 85 billion in annual revenue, has committed a tiny fraction of its earnings, a reported $400 million over five years, to have its tablets featured in the NFL. Even so, the company can’t be amused to hear Belichick’s stoic condemnation.
Perhaps, though, Redmond should look on the bright side. At least they haven’t blown up. Leave a Comment
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Are HDMI, LLC and MPEG LA, LLC Part of the Digital Mafia?
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
I was talking to one of my oldest industry friends at ISE this week here in Amsterdam and he told me how he’d be “shaken-down” by the MPEG LA (the licensing people for DisplayPort). Basically, some two years after he’d been selling products with DisplayPort ports, he was called, out of the blue, by the MPEG LA and told they needed to pay 16 cents (0.15 €) for each DisplayPort connector product. So, if he’d sold a 1×4 DisplayPort distribution amplifier, he needed to pay $0.80 (0.75 €). Plus he’d need to go back and figure out how much he owed since he started in business – back-payment.
This whole process reminded me of old movies that showed how the so-called mafia ran Chicago and New York City back in the ’30s and ’40s.
This is a modern-day mafia — the digital mafia.
I realize that there needs to be some process for dealing with this, but is this the right thing? I looked up both the HDMI, LLC and the MPEG LA and they both appear to be true consortiums/alliances run independently from any one manufacturer. They exist to set standards and enforce them. So, I guess these fees go to fund the association.
But, it just seems weird to me.
Maybe it’s the way of the world.
But, what do I know — here I am writing for a publication that’s free.
But, what happens when you have a cable that converts HDMI to DisplayPort? Or, even more concerning, one that converts DisplayPort to HDMI.
And is it half-priced if the product uses mini-HDMI. And, mini-DisplayPort? Leave a Comment
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We Have More ISE Show Coverage Than Anyone – Even More Than ISE Themselves!We just returned from Amsterdam having covered the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) Show via our rAVe [NOW] LIVE show coverage. No other publication covers shows this way and it means that we shot videos of EVERY new product launched at ISE — as well as write stories on virtually every new HomeAV and ProAV piece of gear and technology there. And it’s all available on one comprehensive, dedicated (ISE-only) website here.
We shot 1,300+ product videos, recorded over 50 podcasts, wrote up more than 300 news stories and blogs and even shot 2,100+ photos of the show floor. No one, not even ISE themselves, has this much show coverage and we hope you find it helpful! Here are just a FEW of the highlights:
There are over 1,000 more new products here on our website so be sure to check it out. Leave a Comment
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The Numbers Are In: ISE Was HUGE!
By the time the show closed its doors last Friday, Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) had proven unequivocally why it is the international destination of choice for AV and systems integration professionals.
ISE 2017 saw 1,192 of the world’s leading AV equipment vendors and service suppliers showcase the latest technology for the digital signage, unified communications, audio, smart building, residential and education sectors.
On the show floor the atmosphere was decidedly upbeat. Exhibitors, including 202 making their ISE debuts, were seen increasingly to present their products and solutions in ‘real world’ scenarios, designed to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of end users visiting the show.
Registered visitor attendees to ISE 2017 were at an all-time high at 73,413. This represents an 11.7% increase over the 2016 edition. Attendees came from 150 different countries, reflecting the show’s global reach and influence, while almost 600 registered attendees were from the press and media.
Integrated Systems Events Managing Director Mike Blackman commented on the event’s continued success: “We listen to the industry and we listen to our exhibitors. We invest in the show and, importantly, we have the people in place to produce the type of exhibition that they tell us they need. It’s a real collaborative effort and I’d like to thank everyone that’s been involved.”
The exhibition began and ended with two inspirational keynote addresses. These came from award winning architect Ole Scheeren and Cirque du Soleil President and CEO Daniel Lamarre. Both speakers respectively explored how creative thinking and innovative technological development is needed to drive forward architectural design and live event production.
Across 14 halls in the RAI Amsterdam, ISE 2017 delivered four record-breaking days of product launches, press briefings, awards, conferences, seminars and networking opportunities. ISE co-owners CEDIA and InfoComm International produced two packed education programmes for the residential and commercial installation market sectors. These proved to be both their most comprehensive and successful European professional development programmes to date.
“ISE2017 has been the biggest and best year yet for CEDIA. We expanded our education offering and doubled bookings to more than 800,” said Vin Bruno, CEDIA CEO. “ISE 2017 also gave us a great opportunity to connect with so many of our members from around the globe. Our booth was continuously busy especially during the CEDIA Talks. The show was a huge success and we can’t wait for next year.”
Numerous exhibitors used the show to launch hundreds of new products and services and many also took the opportunity to present their exhibition stands in the most innovative and dramatic manner possible. The results were both eye-catching and inspirational.
“It was a fantastic ISE 2017 for InfoComm, but more importantly, it was an industry-affirming show for the AV industry as a whole,” said David Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, executive director and CEO of InfoComm International. “As ISE and all our InfoComm shows worldwide demonstrate, this is a vibrant, growing, global community. We’re committed to being a catalyst for market growth, and this week has shown we’re on the right track.”
ISE 2018 will take place at the RAI Amsterdam from 6-9 February. It will feature one more additional hall to accommodate new business.
To see all of our LIVE ISE coverage, go here. Leave a Comment
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VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC and State of New Jersey for Secretly Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart TVs
VIZIO has agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission and the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General that it installed software on its TVs to collect viewing data on 11 million consumer TVs without consumers’ knowledge or consent.The stipulated federal court order requires VIZIO to prominently disclose and obtain affirmative express consent for its data collection and sharing practices, and prohibits misrepresentations about the privacy, security, or confidentiality of consumer information they collect. It also requires the company to delete data collected before March 1, 2016, and to implement a comprehensive data privacy program and biennial assessments of that program.
According to the agencies’ complaint, starting in Feb. 2014, VIZIO, Inc. and an affiliated company have manufactured VIZIO smart TVs that capture second-by-second information about video displayed on the smart TV, including video from consumer cable, broadband, set-top box, DVD, over-the-air broadcasts and streaming devices.
In addition, VIZIO facilitated appending specific demographic information to the viewing data, such as sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership and household value, the agencies allege. VIZIO sold this information to third parties, who used it for various purposes, including targeting advertising to consumers across devices, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, VIZIO touted its “Smart Interactivity” feature that “enables program offers and suggestions” but failed to inform consumers that the settings also enabled the collection of consumers’ viewing data. The complaint alleges that VIZIO’s data tracking — which occurred without viewers’ informed consent — was unfair and deceptive, in violation of the FTC Act and New Jersey consumer protection laws.
The $2.2 million payment by VIZIO includes a payment of $1.5 million to the FTC and $1 million to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, with $300,000 of that amount suspended.
The Commission vote approving the complaint and proposed order was 3 to 0, with Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen issuing a concurring statement. The FTC filed the complaint and order in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
The actual order is here. Leave a Comment
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Séura Now Automatically Adjusts Picture Modes as Outdoor Lighting Conditions ChangeToday Séura announced a new outdoor TV feature for tits Storm Ultra Bright outdoor televisions called Séura Adaptive Picture Technology. The patent-pending technology has 110 picture mode variations that adapt as outdoor lighting conditions change throughout the day and night. Adaptive Picture Technology is the first ever solution that automatically adjusts both backlight brightness and picture settings to create the optimal television viewing experience outdoors.
Séura engineers invented Adaptive Picture Technology, a feature that automatically adjusts backlight brightness and picture contrast in response to changes in outdoor lighting. This was accomplished by creating picture mode variations made up of 100 brightness settings and 10 LCD picture adjustment settings, which the company says is something that no other indoor or outdoor TV manufacturer offers. The adjustment happens automatically, even while the TV is in use, so that viewers can see the best possible picture at all times. This feature is available only on Séura Storm Ultra Bright outdoor TVs.
More information is here. Leave a Comment
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Savant Intros 4K/60 AV Over IP System Savant has announced the introduction of a 4K video over IP switching platform that that Savant is actually targeting at both the HomeAV market as well as the ProAV market.
Savant claims this new product line delivers 4K/60 4:4:4 HDR video distribution over IP with (again, this is their claim) “zero frame latency.” That said, it does use a 10GbE switch and has both fiber and copper options. A transmit chassis for centralized sources and distributed receivers is the hub of the system that includes down-mixing capabilities and audio breakout options.
Advanced video processing features supported by the new platform include multi-video/video tiling, video wall and multi-switching applications. Not many specs are available yet as this just launched at ISE in Amsterdam this month, but Savant says it will begin shipping in Q3 2017.
The product will eventually be posted here. Leave a Comment
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Gefen Debuts New 4K Video-Over-IP Products at ISE
Gefen just launched a new Video-over-IP system that includes both a Transmitter/Sender and Receiver set. The new Sender and Receiver KVM units (the EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-TX and EXT-UHDV-KA-LANS-RX) are 4K@60Hz (4:2:0) at 8-bit color and have a built-in scaler, Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) and digital/analog audio break-out.
Spec’d to handle 3840×2160 at 60 Hz and 4:2:0 chroma subsampling and uses a 1 Gigabit network switch. Both products support HDMI 4K 30Hz 4:4:4, 4K @60Hz (4:2:0), 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).
Additionally, both the sender and receiver units support the concurrent connection of a VGA and HDMI device. The Sender acts as a switcher, allowing the user to select either the analog VGA input or digital HDMI input as a source for the video over IP network. A local VGA output is also available to monitor either selected signal. On the receiver, the VGA and HDMI outputs are both active and essentially function as a video splitter, providing analog and digital outputs for nearly any display present. 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.
The sender and receiver can be used as KVM extenders in a one-to-one system, or as nodes in a virtual matrix environment where any source can be routed to any or all displays. The sender features a 1U tall and half-rack-width enclosure, perfect for rack mounting using the Gefen EXT-RACK-1U-GRY rack tray (sold separately). 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 when hiding the receiver is not an option. When using a Gefen IR Extender module, this Receiver can be hidden away behind a display or in the equipment closet while still retaining IR access.
Here are more detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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AMX Debuts N2400 Series AV-Over-IP GbE Networks
At ISE, AMX launched something similar to what Crestron launched yesterday — the N2400 Series video encoders and decoders, which send 4K video Gigabit Ethernet networks. Spec’d with support for 4K video at 60Hz and 4:4:4 (8-bit color) the N2400 uses JPEG 2000 encoding to deliver content at native frame rate and color space over Gigabit Ethernet with two frames of latency. With support for HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, the N2400 Series is compatible with all the latest most 4K sources.
Because the N2400 Series can be PoE+ (Power over Ethernet) powered thus, they can connected to a 12VDC power, or by an Ethernet connection from the local network switch. N2400 encoders and decoders also use the same control APIs, software and web interfaces as existing AMX Networked AV solutions.
Here are all the tech specs.Leave a Comment
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Gefen Intros DisplayPort 1.2 Fiber-Optic Extender at ISE
Gefen from Core Brands today introduced the EXT-DP-4K600-1SC extender that claims to allow systems integrators to place 4K 600 MHz DisplayPort 1.2 sources and displays up to 660 feet apart with full optical isolation.
The EXT-DP-4K600-1SC extends HDCP 2.2, HDCP 1.4 and DPCP compliant DisplayPort 600 MHz 4K audio/video over fiber. WQUXGA (3840×2400), 4K Ultra HD (3840×2160), and 4K Cinema — DCI (4096×2160), up to 60 Hz frame rate and 4:4:4 Chroma sub-sampling are supported. The AV signal can be extended up to 200 meters or 660 feet, over a single strand of SC-terminated 50/125 µm OM3 or better multi-mode fiber-optic cable.
The EXT-DP-4K600-1SC provides full electrical isolation between the sender and the receiver, meeting the stringent safety and EMC requirements for critical applications. When used with a pair of Gefen EXT-PS52AU-M-1.3-6-AL power supplies, this extender is compliant with medical safety and EMC standards EN 60601-1 and EN 60601-1-2. The EXT-DP-4K600-1SC can be powered from sources and displays featuring powered USB ports, or by using external power supplies.
The Gefen EXT-DP-4K600-1SC is available now, and lists for $2,199. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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FIBARO Launches KeyFob Home ControlThe FIBARO KeyFob enables home control via management and activation of Z-Wave connected devices working within the same network.
Using Z-Wave 5 you can control six devices or set up marcros to activate pre-programmed scenes. The mini FIBARO remote control has an LED display that indicates the current status of the device, such as alerting whether it has entered wake up mode, is undergoing a prolonged activation of a particular scene, or if it has a low battery. A KeyFob user can also program the battery capacity, which is alarm-activated, in order to be alerted when the battery is running low, to ensure the device never dies while being in use. Standard use of KeyFob, which about an average of 5 scene activations per day, will keep the battery life going for a little over 2 years.
More information about the FIBARO KeyFob is here.Leave a Comment
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PureLink Debuts More HDMI 2.0 ProductsPureLink has introduced a new series of HDMI 2.0 Transmitter and Receiver products for 4K60 (4:4:4 at 8-bit color) signal management.
The HCE III Tx/Rx and HTE III Tx/Rx extender pairs are HDMI 2.0 compliant HDBaseT extension systems with what PureLink says is “a light compression technology” over a single CATx cable. Like all 4K HDBaseT products, the Transmitter can send 4K video up to 70 meters and 1080p up to 100 meters. It’s capable of transmitting signals up to 18 Gbps and supports the BT.2020 color space. Both use PoE (power over Ethernet) and can be controlled via IP, RS 232 and IR. For consumer applications, the’ve added CEC support. Here are all the specs.Leave a Comment
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BenQ Unveils a 4K UHD Home Cinema Projector With THX HD Display CertificationBenQ just debuted the HT8050 home cinema projector — a 4K resolution (3840×2160) single-chip DLP 4K UHD projector that has THX HD Display certification.
BenQ says that THX certification guarantees that the HT8050 accurately reproduces content the way the director originally intended. Requiring 10 times as much data analysis and seven times the engineering effort and resources in precise color and gamma adjustments as required for pure Rec. 709 compliance, the HT8050 underwent over 18 months of rigorous development and 200 THX laboratory tests covering over 500 data points to ensure strict color accuracy, precise gamma, ideal color temperature, enhanced uniformity and super high native contrast ratio for THX certification. Passing three rounds of live testing at THX’s headquarters in San Francisco, the HT8050 offers supreme overall image performance with a pre-calibrated THX Mode engineered by THX to offer the most accurate out-of-box picture quality possible. Augmenting its high native ANSI contrast ratio, the HT8050’s Active Iris and Dynamic Black technology, SmartEco and proprietary black paint sealed light engine produce an astounding 50,000:1 dynamic contrast performance for fine detail rendition in the darkest and brightest scenes without any washout to preserve every subtlety of the original content.
The HT8050 natively supports 2.35:1 anamorphic aspect ratio.
The HT8050 home cinema projector will be available in February with a list price of $7,999. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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James Loudspeaker Redesigns QXC Mounting System Making Upside-Down Ceiling Installations Easier James Loudspeaker has redesigned the mounting system for their QXC series of architectural speakers, making it dramatically easier for integrators to secure them in place. The new QXC loudspeakers utilize a lightweight aluminum frame with semi-circular clamps that attach to the ceiling or wall surface using stainless steel hardware. Once the frame has been secured with speaker mounting screws in place, the QXC speaker can be simply rotated into position using the provided keyhole shaped receptacles in the speaker’s mounting flange. This methodology eliminates the need for the installer, often perched precariously on a ladder, from having to balance the speaker while simultaneously holding tools and hardware.
Here’s a real-time video they made doing a ceiling install.
The QXC Series speakers (available in 6.5 and 8-inch models) feature aluminum cone woofers with Santoprene rubber surrounds and quad aluminum tweeter arrays. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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SpeakerCraft AIM Series 2 In-Wall LCR Speaker Line Ships SpeakerCraft from Core Brands today announced that its two new AIM Series 2 in-wall left-center-right (LCR) speakers, the AIM LCR5 FIVE Series 2 and the AIM LCR5 TWO Series 2, are now shipping worldwide.
Both AIM Series 2 In-Wall LCR speakers employ the all-new Arrayed Point Source (APS) Tweeter Module, which incorporates three pivoting tweeters mounted in a rotational sound baffle to focus the high frequency sound into the targeted listening area. Like their AIM Series 2 in-ceiling counterparts, the extra surface area from the three tweeters enables a lower crossover point to deliver extra sound pressure in the midrange frequencies critical for crisp, clear dialog.
Both models incorporate Dual, 5 ¼” woofers, angled within the assembly to prevent “acoustic lobing” and further improve clarity in the vocal frequencies essential to home theater audio. Both employ SpeakerCraft’s Acoustic Isolation Technology to minimize acoustic energy transfer to the mounting and surrounding surfaces.
The AIM LCR5 FIVE Series 2 matches its two woven Kevlar cone woofers with 1″ Custom Titanium Dome Tweeters. It boasts a 48Hz – 22kHz frequency response with a power handling of 190 watts at 8 Ohm impedance. The AIM LCR5 TWO Series 2 pairs its two glass and carbon fiber cones with 1″ custom soft dome tweeters. It delivers a frequency response of 52Hz – 20kHz with a power handling of 135 watts at 8 Ohm impedance.
Both of these new in-walls can be paired with SpeakerCraft’s new Dolby Atmos enabled in-wall height speaker – the ATX100 – to take full advantage of the latest object-based surround audio systems, such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The ATS200 System combines the AIM LCR5 TWO Series 2 with the height module, also behind a single grille.
The AIM LCR5 FIVE Series 2 and AIM LCR5 TWO Series 2 list for $879 and US $749, respectively. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Classé’s Sigma SSP MkII Adds Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Upgraded HDMIThe new Classé Sigma SSP has an improved audio DSP and HDMI hardware. The eight-channel Sigma SSP MkII supports Dolby and DTS 3D audio formats when configured as a 5.1.2 channel system and passes 4K UHD video at 60 Hz with HDCP 2.2.
Using a new dual DSP module featuring a Texas Instruments 456 MHz DA830, a dual core floating-point audio processor with ARM9 and an audio-specific DA810 32-/64-bit floating point DSP provides the needed processing power to accurately decode the latest 3D audio formats and perform the many post-processing capabilities that set the Classé Sigma SSP MkII apart.
An upgraded HDMI board adds HDMI 2.0 features like pass through of UHD video (4K@60Hz) and HDCP 2.2 compatibility.
The list price for the Sigma SSP MkII is $6,000 and the Upgrade Kit is $1,000. Both will be available later this month and here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Nuvo Debuts P500 Sound Bar Legrand demo’d its new Nuvo P500, the first sound bar and subwoofer combo in its Player Portfolio whole home audio product line, at ISE 2017. Integrated with a 2.1 audio system with an eight-inch wireless subwoofer, the P500 provides has four customizable audio modes — movie, music, voice and night mode.
It has an industrial design, with a metal grill, white backlit touch panel and a hidden internal power supply. It has three control options, including its own remote control, the Nuvo Player app, and optional in-wall keypads as well as integrated control via Legrand’s partners, such as KNX, Control4, Crestron, RTI and URC. The unit also features a built-in IR learning function, which enables it to be controlled via third party remotes sold with TVs and set top boxes.
The P500 can be installed in either an Ethernet or wireless (802.11 a.b.g.n. 2.4GHz or 5.1GHz) configuration and additional components can be connected to it via TOSLINK and analog line inputs.
The Nuvo P500 sound bar will be available in March for $899. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Yamaha Debuts Small Install Speakers
Yamaha has launched the VXS1ML and VXS3S at ISE. Part of Yamaha’s Commercial Installation Solutions (CIS) range, the speakers are designed for background music applications in restaurants, retail outlets, hotel lobbies and other situations where loudspeakers need to be heard but not seen.
Measuring 62x62x82mm and weighing just 0.16kg, the VXS1ML mini satellite Lo-Z (8-ohms) speaker features a major innovation in the marrying of a brand new, specifically-developed large diameter voice coil and ultra-compact 1.5-inch full-range driver, which deliver a frequency response of 180Hz – 20kHz and uniform dispersion of 170-degress, both horizontally and vertically.
A circular mount allows for free angle installation and up to 30° of vertical adjustment. The VXS1ML can be surface mounted, alternatively the optional CMA1MB/CMA1MW allows for in-ceiling installation and the optional RMA1MB/RMA1MW for hanging from a lighting rail. Available in black or white models, the enclosure is also paintable to ensure the loudspeaker unobtrusively blends into any environment.
Complementing the VXS1ML is the VXS3S compact subwoofer, which delivers a rich low-mid sound. Featuring a 3.5-inch driver, switchable Lo-Z (8Ω)/Hi-Z (70V/100V) inputs and Yamaha’s Dual SR-Bass technology the VXS3S measures 320x160x110mm, weighs only 2.4kg and has a frequency range of 65Hz – 180Hz. Also featuring built-in satellite connectors, it can be surface mounted or (with the optional CMA3SB/CMA3SW) mounted within the ceiling. Like the VXS1ML, it is available in black or white and has a paintable enclosure.
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SpeakerCraft Debuts Dolby Atmos Enabled In-Wall Height Speaker at ISE
SpeakerCraft has what they are claiming is the world’s first Dolby Atmos enabled in-wall height speaker, the AIM Series 2 ATX100, at ISE 2017. The SpeakerCraft ATX100 reflects sound off the ceiling to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead, to bring entertainment alive for the audience.
The ATX100 is the architectural in-wall solution to the traditional floor-standing or bookshelf height speakers currently available. The design adheres to Dolby’s recommended specifications and requirements for optimal performance. The ATX100’s dual drivers and tweeter fire upward into the acoustically controlled wave guide that projects the Dolby Atmos height cue information off the ceiling, creating the immersive effect. The ¾” custom titanium dome tweeter with high-energy Neodymium magnet structure boasts frequency response up to 22kHz. With its dual 2½” Kevlar-reinforced pulp mid-bass drivers, the ATX100 can handle up to 125 watts of amplifier power at 8 ohms. The ATX100 Height Speaker will list for $349 and here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Bowers & Wilkins Debuts CI800 Series Diamond
The new CI800 Series Diamond includes three new models that feature Diamond dome tweeters and Continuum and Aerofoil cone. They are part of their custom installation range for the home.
This range of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers features transducer technologies that include Diamond dome tweeters, Continuum midrange drivers and Aerofoil bass cones. Originally developed for the 800 Series Diamond, Aerofoil cones deliver incredible bass performance.
The CI800 Series Diamond features back boxes that are fully Matrix braced, for extra rigidity. The boxes also includes bi-wirable cables that are guided to the terminal panel through tubes and connect to the baffle with a multi-pin connector. This means that the installation can be done in two stages, so the more delicate elements of the speaker can be located once the trades have finished on a build.
CWM8.3 D is a three-way in wall speaker, conceived to offer the very best performance for a customer requiring great sound without seeing the source. It features a decoupled Diamond dome tweeter, a 5-inch Continuum FST midrange drive unit and two 7-inch Aerofoil low-frequency drivers. The central baffle is rotatable, so CWM8.3 D can be used in either vertical or horizontal alignment.
CWM8.5 D is a two-way in wall speaker. It offers exceptionally high performance from a compact model. It features a decoupled Diamond dome tweeter and a single 7-inch bass/mid Continuum driver with anti- resonance plug.
CCM8.5 D is a two-way in ceiling speaker which offers high-quality acoustics in an incredibly discreet package. It features a decoupled Diamond dome tweeter and a single 7-inch bass/mid Continuum driver with anti-resonance plug. All the drive units are located in a continuously rotatable mini-baffle which allows the user to ‘toe in’ the drive units of the loudspeaker for the best performance.
The models are:
- CWM8.3D – $3,700 each (back box $800)
- CWM8.5D – $1,900 each (back box $600)
- CCM8.5D – $2,400 each (back box $600)
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Lutron Electronics Launches New LED FixturesLutron has launched Finiré LED Recessed Downlights and Lumaris LED Linear Lighting fixtures featuring smooth dimming. These products are focused on high-end residential and hospitality applications and are designed to work with Lutron controls as part of a HomeWorks QS, Quantum or myRoom system.
The new Lutron fixture ranges claims to resolve common issues associated with LED lighting, such as flickering or lack of dimming consistency, across the whole range of light outputs.
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Xantech Debuts New EX Series HDMI Cables
Xantech today announced the introduction of its new EX Series HDMI cables. The Xantech cables are spec’d to deliver up to 4K 60 4:4:4 resolution capability with a pixel rate of 600 MHz, enabling transmission of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video with a bandwidth faster than 18Gbps at 4K@50/60 (2160p), which is four times the clarity of 1080p/60 video resolution. All cables in the EX Series feature patented C-Grip locking connector technology resisting more than 10 pounds of force, which virtually eliminates truck rolls due to loose cables.
The new EX Series HDMI cables are available in nine lengths: .7, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7.5 and 10 meters. Cables up to 4 meters will also be available in bulk packs for added convenience on the truck or on the job site. Xantech EX Series HDMI cables will be available in March.
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ONErack Adds New Dual Redundant, Hot Swappable Power SupplyThe tvONE ONErack is a universal racking mounting solution with power and cooling. It’s design converts randomly sized, externally-powered devices from any manufacturer into slide-in modules that can be installed serviced. The dual redundant power supply is hot swappable, and helps remove a potential point of failure in racks used for mission critical installations. In addition to reliability, this new power option adds surge protection, DC power conditioning and load sharing to the ONErack solution.
The ONErack’s front and rear access provides uniform cable management and unlike most rack kits or traditional rack mounting methods like a shelf, the ONErack allows high density mounting in three different chassis sizes, provides seven different voltages and cools all within a ONErack chassis.
The ONErack chassis is available in 4RU, 5RU and 6RU and can hold up to 16 modules with up to two voltage selectors each. When using the ONErack Power Supply, each voltage selector, can provide selectable power @ 5v, 7.5v, 9v, 12v, 13.5, 18v, 24v up to 35 watts. A pass thru is available for custom power sources. Each ONErack chassis can include 1 or more 250 watt power supplies that can feed additional chassis, to allow for a clean power solution for all mounted devices.
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HomeAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the high-end HomeAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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To send me feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter – instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas: Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe Publications has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004.
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rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
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