Volume 15, Issue 22 — November 29, 2017
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Industry News Control & Signal Processing Media Players, Recording & Distribution Projection Audio Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories
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It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Maintenance…
By Joel Rollins rAVe Columnist
“’twas the night before Christmas,
and all through the shop
not an order is stirring
so let’s get out the mop…”
Yes, the holidays are upon us again. And with the exception of holiday parties and events, many of us can find ourselves looking for things to do. Having spent a few years working in rental companies, I have some suggestions for some nice, time-consuming things to do, many of which do not get done during the busy parts of the year.
Equipment maintenance
OK, this one is a gimme that everybody has thought of already. But sometimes, maintaining our inventory is a lot like the case of the lazy man who was asked why he didn’t fix his leaky roof. His answer? “Well, I can’t fix it when it’s raining, and when it’s not raining it don’t leak.” Equipment maintenance may be boring and time-consuming, but it can save us so many of those potentially heart-stopping moments during the year that we can usually motivate people to do it during the downtime, if only in self-defense. The question here is how you make it interesting. One year, two other technicians and I created a bet over who could find the most potential problems. I have even thought about making it a drinking game, but I have been afraid of what the results might be.
Records maintenance
This one is often overlooked, but can pay off during the year just as much as having a pristine inventory. And, during this special time of the year, it’s an opportunity for people who have information but are normally not involved in record-keeping to bring the company up to date. Namely, the technicians and field personnel could have a lot of information to contribute about our customers that they don’t normally think about. Field personnel often have more contacts within a client organization than the office people do. Many times, our client records at the shop contain an Accounts Payable reference, but not a lot of the management and administrative names and phone numbers that can help to get an invoice paid or an order clarified. This is also our opportunity to create better communication between field personnel and office personnel, and even to set up one of the simpler project and task management systems (like Basecamp, which I love) that could allow the technicians to provide this kind of information all year long.
Those demonstration systems
AV suppliers, especially rental suppliers, are in the business of introducing new technologies to clients. As we turn over our inventory and adopt new technologies, we need to show them to the people who are going to use them. For this purpose, I have nearly always had a meeting room at our headquarters that we use for this purpose. However, in the tradition of the barber usually having the worst haircut, I have seen a lot of these rooms that were, shall we say, less than professional. When I was a technician, no matter how our sales department set these rooms up, we considered them auxiliary inventory. This meant that very often by the time the sales department arrived in the building, we had stolen key pieces of their demonstration equipment for orders. I don’t believe this is ever going to stop, since in the rental business I have even stolen our office furniture and equipment to use as stage props. But this is an opportunity for our technicians to work with the sales department for a better understanding of how these systems work, and to potentially even get a short-term promise to eventually restore stolen items to the system.
Training
This is another one that nearly everybody commits to do over the holidays, but often gets postponed as other, “more important” things take priority. But not only can training pay off during the year, it can also be an enormous staff booster if done well. I have long been an advocate of crosstraining, giving our office personnel an opportunity to see how things work and our field personnel an opportunity to see “how the other half lives.”
In the end, all of these things really boil down to “personnel maintenance.” Often, the technology that we represent is less important than the way we represent it and the way our staff works together during the busiest times of the year. This is an opportunity, during a rare time when we have everybody in the shop, to do a little teambuilding. A holiday party is great and I highly recommend it. But most of the time, a holiday party takes a single evening and is something many of us will forget afterward. But the opportunity to set ourselves up for a more successful year is a present that we can all give each other.
Stay tuned for next month, when we will cover the New Year’s resolutions that every AV staff should avoid making.
Happy holidays. Leave a Comment
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Virtual Reality Continues to Offer New Opportunities
By Scott Tiner rAVe Columnist
In an October 28th, 2017 article in the New York Times, “Virtual Reality Gets Naughty,” Alyson Krueger writes about the pornography industry’s deep dive into virtual reality. Despite what you may feel about the ethical issues with the pornography industry, the article is a fascinating read. In particular, it is interesting because of how far the industry is driving the technology and how what they do will affect many other industries.
I am not very interested in considering most of the article, as it relates to pornography. However, towards the end of the article the author began to touch on some very possible applications for the technology that would provide new opportunities for education.
Colleges across the country are dealing with the new implications of Title IX and how it applies to discrimination and harassment based on gender. A significant struggle is how to educate students about these issues in way that has meaning to them and is effective. Virtual reality may be the solution for this. In the column the author writes, “What if we had young people watch videos where they practice consent or practice identifying at-risk behaviors?” I think that this is a brilliant idea. Putting young people in a “live” situation, while they are completely sober, allows them to view the scenario from a different perspective. They are not pressured by peers or by alcohol. They can get the practice necessary to be comfortable asking for consent, giving consent or refusing consent. As important, young people can practice what to do in situations where consent is not given, but pressure if placed on them to give it. In this case they can be empowered to state their choice and leave the situation. Hopefully, those who would continue to pressure for consent, can also see the clear effect that has on the other person.
The article also discusses other opportunities for virtual reality, augmented reality and even robots involved with augmented reality. The author gives an example of people who return from war zones with PTSD. Being able to place the victims in the location(s) that the trauma occurred may allow them to confront these memories. Perhaps, it can even be used to help others understand the trauma that soldiers have suffered and from that be helpful in their healing.
Why does VR have a better chance at helping with these issues than the standard types of training and counseling? Because it creates an experience for the user. Watching PowerPoint slides along with 40 to 50 other people does not put someone in the moment. This is particularly true of high school age students, who may be too immature to appreciate what they are being taught. Even watching friends act out scenes (which is a common training method for sexual harassment and consent) does not put people in the exact situation. It does not give them the same experience. It is very easy to sit in an audience while the scene is going on and check your Facebook page, or in the case of younger students, laugh at what is going on. Being a virtual bystander in a room while this is occuring provides an entirely different experience. They hear the words, they see the behavior and they have the opportunity to react to it and step in. Their friends are not sitting next to them, so they don’t have to worry about what they are thinking.
As an integrator, designer or video producer, we all have great opportunities here to engage in very interesting and exciting new opportunities. In addition to being able to make a profit in a new market, you also have the opportunity to be involved in doing some real good for people. The opportunities I have written about are only a small part of what educational institutions around the country will be doing with these technologies over the next several years. By developing an expertise in your organization in developing videos, designing equipment and more importantly, helping to design the experience, you can set yourself up for a profitable and exciting market niche. Leave a Comment
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QSC CEO Named President-Elect of 2018 AVIXA Board of Directors QSC’s CEO and President, Joe Pham, has been named President-Elect of the 2018 board of directors for AVIXA (formerly InfoComm International). This will be Pham’s fourth year serving on the board where he served as secretary-treasurer in 2017.
“Part of AVIXA’s rebranding is to reinvigorate the market and focus more on the user experience,” says Pham. “As this industry shifts into a world of convergence, AVIXA is looking to grow the AV industry globally and offer additional support and programs to its members. It really is an exciting time in our market and I’m thrilled to be part of this transformation.”
Joe has been at QSC since 2004. He joined QSC from McKinsey & Company, a consulting company, and has held the roles of executive VPO, chief strategy and technology officer and COO.
AVIXA is the commercial AV industry’s trade association and holds the annual InfoComm trade show. Leave a Comment
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Luxul Releases New Epic 3 Wi-Fi Router With Built-In Remote Management Software Luxul today introduced a new AC3100 dual-band gigabit router with a host of built-in features. The new Epic 3 integrates Luxul’s wireless controller with Roam Assist, remote network monitoring and management from Domotz and cloud-based content management and parental controls from Router Limits.
With the Epic 3, installers can now create a roaming Wi-Fi experience for their clients and service their networks remotely. With Domotz remote network monitoring built in and installers receive alerts when issues arise on their clients’ networks, allowing them to fix problems before customers even realize they exist. Luxul claims that having the Epic 3 on a client’s network also means quicker setup times and easier network maintenance for installers.
The Epic 3 router is compatible with Luxul’s access points (APs), allowing installers to add APs to maximize the performance and budget of each project. Capable of managing additional access points, the Epic 3 offers a cost-effective multi-access-point roaming solution for residential and small commercial networks.
Luxul’s Epic 3 with built-in Roam Assist, Domotz remote management software and Router Limits content management boosts Wi-Fi reliability while allowing users to remotely maintain the network to which it’s connected, and fully control their internet experience.
- Roam Assist provides seamless Wi-Fi connection throughout the home, eliminating problems such as low, dropped or lost signals.
- Domotz remote management software gives installers the power to manage, maintain and troubleshoot their clients’ networks from anywhere in the world.
- Router Limits content management means end-users are in control of their internet experience by managing internet traffic; choosing which devices can access the web; what parts of the web are OK (or not OK) and the days and times the internet should be available.
The Luxul Epic 3 Dual-Band Wireless AC3100 Gigabit Router will be available in late November 2017 with KRACK vulnerability protection. All the details are here. Leave a Comment
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WyreStorm Launches In-Wall HDBaseT Transmitter and Standalone PoH Receiver KitsWyreStorm has released two new in-wall HDBaseT “5Play” transmitter and standalone PoH receiver kits for HDMI and VGA connectivity and distribution in Huddle Rooms. Available in two models, the TX-IW-70-POH-KIT and TX-SW-IW-0201-KITs, both are two-gang in-wall Class A HDBaseT transmitters with PoH receiver kits (with MK-Euro compatible versions available Q4 2017).
The TX-IW-70-POH-KIT and TX-SW-IW-0201-KIT are both HDBaseT wall-plates for the delivery of HDMI and VGA with audio signals (up to 4K) and feature front-facing local source connection of either HDMI only (TX-IW-70-POH-KIT) or auto-switching HDMI and VGA with audio input (TX-SW-IW-0201-KIT). On the reverse located in-wall on both models you’ll find Class A HDBaseT 5Play supporting transmissions of 4K UHD with HDR and HDCP 2.2, multichannel audio, bi-directional control via IR and RS-232, PoH power and Ethernet passthrough over distances up to 70m/230ft or 1080p/60Hz/48bit up to 100m/328ft.
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Barco Picks Global Cache as Hardware Partner for IP-Based Overture Control SystemOne could argue that Global Caché might have just won the AV-lottery with a new partnership with Barco to supply Overture control software and Global Caché hardware to integrators. The new partnership provides what global cache calls seamless compatibility of Global Caché hardware from within Barco’s IP based Overture control software. Thus, Overture, is shipping now with Global Caché support and connectivity built-in.
Global Caché’s products connect any IR, serial and contact closure device to a Wi-Fi and/or IP network so it can be controlled, automated, and maintained by network-based software. As you likely know, Global Cache has connectivity products and capabilities to make it so you can have the cloud-based Overture system control non-IP-enabled AV gear.
Global Cache is here and Barco’s Overture is here. Leave a Comment
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Key Digital Ships Audio Matrix with DSPThe new Key Digital KD-MAX8x8 eight input to eight output audio matrix switcher with built-in audio DSP. The KD-MAX8x8 has analog and digital connections for input and output and enables analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog conversion of signals, or can operate as two independent audio matrixes (one digital and one analog). Analog audio inputs are connected on balanced/unbalanced six pin phoenix terminal blocks and digital audio sources are input on a PCM coaxial RCA connection that supports surround formats up to Dolby and DTS 5.1.
Each output of KD-MAX8x8 handles all pre-amp functionality, enabling integrators to connect directly into amplifiers. Any of the connected audio sources may be selected on any output and apply variable signal processing levels for volume, bass, mid, treble, balance and lip sync.
Here are more specs. Leave a Comment
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Gefen Ships 4K 600 MHz EXT-UHD600-1SC Extender over Fiber Gefen from Core Brands today announced that it is now shipping its new 4K Ultra HD 600 MHz Extender for HDMI over one Fiber-Optic Cable (EXT-UHD600-1SC). The EXT-UHD600-1SC is a compact HDMI 2.0 audio and video with High Dynamic Range (HDR) up to 200 meters over a single strand of SC-terminated multi-mode fiber-optic cable.
This new 4K Ultra HD 600 MHz extender for HDMI over one Fiber-Optic Cable supports 18.2 Gbps of bandwidth and 600 MHz TMDS Clock frequency. Full bandwidth support allows the EXT-UHD600-1SC to accommodate resolutions up to 4K Cinema-DCI (4096×2160 up to 60 Hz 4:4:4) and 4K Ultra HD (3860×2160 up to 60 Hz, 4:4:4) along with High Dynamic Range HDR-10 and Dolby Vision. HDCP 2.2 and the legacy HDCP 1.4 are both supported. The EXT-UHD600-1SC also supports 1080p Full HD, WUXGA (1920×1200), 3DTV and Deep Color (up to 1080p resolution).
Highest performance multi-channel digital audio, including 7.1 channels of LPCM and HBR (High Bit Rate) digital audio formats, such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:XTM and DTS-HD Master AudioTM, are passed through to the HDMI outputs.
Gefen says the EXT-UHD600-1SC guarantees electrical isolation between the sender and the receiver. This extender can be powered from sources and displays featuring powered USB ports, or by using external power supplies. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Blackmagic Design Announces New 6G‑SDI Mini Converters Blackmagic Design today announced new broadcast quality 6G‑SDI mini converters for converting SDI to HDMI and HDMI to SDI.
The Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 6G and Mini Converter HDMI to SDI 6G models make it possible to convert SDI to HDMI or HDMI to SDI in all formats up to 2160p30. Both models feature professional multi rate 6G‑SDI and are compatible with all existing SDI broadcast equipment. They also feature HDMI along with analog and AES/EBU audio inputs or outputs, depending on the model.
The SDI to HDMI 6G model also includes HDMI instant lock and 33 point 3D LUT support, which are new advanced features that were not available in previous models.
HDMI televisions and projectors can take a long time to lock onto a signal when a new source is connected. To solve this problem, Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 6G features HDMI Instant Lock which continuously sends an active HDMI signal to the display. That means customers get glitch free clean switching when changing to sources that are the same format and frame rate as the previous signal.
For example, customers can connect Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 6G to the output of a video router and monitor signals on a big screen HDMI television. When the router output changes, the HDMI television will instantly lock to the new signal without having to resynchronize.
Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 6G also includes a full 33 point 3D lookup table for extremely high precision, feature film quality color conversions. That means LUTs can be applied to create custom looks, color and gamma changes in realtime while monitoring on set. This also means that customers can use Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 6G as a 3D LUT processor. 3D LUTs are also compatible with DaVinci Resolve, so customers can use the same LUTs on set and in post for consistent color.
Mini Converter HDMI to SDI 6G is $145, and Mini Converter SDI to HDMI 6G is $185. Here are more detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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Blackmagic Design Announces DeckLink 8K Pro with Quad Link 12G‑SDI Blackmagic Design today announced DeckLink 8K Pro, a new high performance capture and playback card featuring quad link 12G‑SDI to allow real time high resolution 8K workflows. This new DeckLink 8K Pro supports all film and video formats from SD all the way up to 8K DCI, 12‑bit RGB 4:4:4, plus it also handles advanced color spaces such as Rec. 2020 for deeper color and higher dynamic range. DeckLink 8K also handles a massive 64 channels of audio, stereoscopic 3D, high frame rates and more.
DeckLink 8K Pro features four quad link multi rate 12G‑SDI connections it can work in all SD, HD, Ultra HD, 4K, 8K and 8K DCI formats and is compatible with all existing professional SDI equipment. The 12G‑SDI connections are also bi-directional so they can be used to either capture or playback quad link 8K, or for the simultaneous capture and playback of single or dual link SDI sources.
DeckLink 8K Pro supports capture and playback of 8 or 10-bit YUV 4:2:2 video and 10 or 12‑bit RGB 4:4:4. Video can be captured as uncompressed or to industry standard broadcast quality ProRes and DNx files. DeckLink 8K Pro lets customers work at up to 60 frames per second in 8K and supports stereoscopic 3D for all modes up to 4K DCI at 60 frames per second in 12‑bit RGB.
DeckLink 8K Pro will be available for $645 in early January. All the details are here. Leave a Comment
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A Sub-$2,000 4K DLP Projector Debuts from BenQ
BenQ America just launched the CineHome HT2550 DLP projector that they say is capable of hitting 96 percent Rec 709 color and is native 3840×2160 (4K UHD) resolution using single-chip DLP.
BenQ’s HT2550 projector uses 0.47″ single-DMD-chip DLP technology and employs BenQ CinematicColor technology and a RGBRGB color wheel to hit the 96 percent coverage of Rec. 709 color gamut. The HT2550’s 4K video includes compatibility with high dynamic range (HDR10) support and uses motion-adaptive edge pixel enhancement to help with flesh tone rendition. It also can support HDCP 2.2 copy protection.
The HT2550 includes auto keystone correction and a 1.2x zoom lens and inputs include HDMI and VGA.
The BenQ HT2550 will be available in North America in Jan. 2018 for under $2,000 retail and here are all the detailed specs.
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Vivitek Debuts the 18K Lumen DU9800Z Projector Vivitek just launched the DU9800Z projector — a solid state illumination source projector spec’d at 18,000 ANSI Lumens with a native WUXGA 1920×1200 resolution and a 20,000 hour lamp source.
The new flagship DU9800Z projector uses 1-chip DLP technology and laser-phosphor illumination and adds a new “Constant Brightness” feature to help reduce blending maintenance with customizable brightness. Equipped with a smart sensor, the DU9800Z continuously measures the light output and adjusts the illumination accordingly to maintain constant brightness.
The DU9800Z also features advanced thermal management technology from Delta, while it also offers a unique sealed optical engine design. This design features a liquid cooling base as well as enabling better cooling airflow and eliminates any negative dust impact as well as quieter operation.
The DU9800Z will be available in November 2017. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Apogee MiC+ Debuts Apogee just introduced their new MiC Plus, professional quality USB microphone for iPad, iPhone, Mac and PC. Designed for music production, voice recording, YouTube or live streaming, MiC Plus is a significant upgrade to the Apogee MiC product family first introduced in 2011, MiC plus features an entirely new design with improved sound quality, dynamic range and built-in headphone output for latency-free monitoring while recording on any device.
MiC Plus’ professional-quality cardioid capsule, high sensitivity and ample gain give it a sound that is similar to a top studio condenser microphone going through a high-end mic preamp.
With MiC Plus, there’s no complicated setup. Just connect to your computer or iOS device, select MiC Plus as your audio interface and record in your favorite app. MiC Plus includes 3 cables for effortless connection directly to Lightning/iOS, USB-C or USB (Type A) devices.
MiC Plus is available now for $249 and includes three cables: Lightning, USB (Type-C) and USB (Type-A). Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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MIPRO Adds Dante Options and Expands 8 Series Avlex Corporation has announced that Dante audio networking capability has been added to select MIPRO wireless products. This new feature is available on two ACT 7 Series wireless receivers as well as the dual channel variant of the company’s ACT 8 Series product line. Additionally, the MIPRO ACT 8 Series product line has been expanded with the introduction of the new ACT 848 Digital Wideband Encryption-Capable Quad Channel Receiver — available in both standard and Dante-equipped versions.
In the ACT 7 Series product line, the ACT-72 Dante Enabled UHF Dual-Channel Wideband Wireless Receiver and ACT-74 Dante Enabled UHF Quad-Channel Wideband Wireless Receiver join the existing 7 Series UHF wireless receiver systems. MIPRO’s ACT 7 Series are analog wireless systems that operate across 72 MHz of bandwidth and offer 2,881 selectable frequencies with presets that allow up to 48 channel simultaneous operation. The choice of either rechargeable or AA powered transmitters is available for these models.
The MIPRO ACT 8 Digital Series wireless systems now also offer customers a Dante capable version of the ACT-828 Dual Channel Receiver. Another addition to the MIPRO ACT 8 Series is the ACT-848 Digital Quad Channel Receiver, which is also available in a Dante version. In addition to the availability of Dante audio networking functionality, the ACT-848 Quad Channel Receivers are true digital wireless receivers offering Digital Diversity Receiving Technology with available 256-bit encryption. MIPRO’s Digital Diversity Receiving Technology utilizes two receivers in each wireless channel, each tied to its own antenna. Unlike competing wireless systems that use multiplexing between the A and B antennas, depending which one has the best overall average signal, the ACT 8 Series uses antenna summing, creating a mix of the best parts of both antennas in real time, which results in the most saturated signal available.
Like the ACT-828 dual channel wireless receivers, the ACT-848 operates across 64 MHz of bandwidth while offering 2,561 selectable frequencies. Both the Dante-equipped and standard ACT-8 Series systems offer 20 Hz ~ 20 kHz frequency response and a dynamic range > 115 dB. Both systems utilize a full-color vacuum fluorescent display for crystal clear visual feedback of the various system parameters. All 8 Series wireless systems feature rechargeable transmitters and smart charging cradles.
The Dante-equipped MIPRO ACT-72 Dual-Channel and ACT-74 Quad-Channel UHF wireless receiver systems is $900 and $1,520. The MIPRO ACT-828 Dante Digital Encryption-Capable Dual Channel Wideband Wireless Receiver is $985. And, the ACT-848 Dante Digital Wideband Encryption-Capable Quad Channel Receiver is $1,640. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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James Loudspeaker Introduces Three Omni Planter Outdoor Loudspeakers James Loudspeaker has introduced three Omni Planter landscape speaker systems engineered for applications where in-ground solutions are not practical. Omni Planter speakers incorporate a down-firing subwoofer and deliver 360-degrees of sparkling clear entertainment.
All James Loudspeaker Omni Planter models accommodate a decorative plant of choice nestled into the top section of the all-aluminum powder coated loudspeaker enclosure available in an array of standard and custom colors. Typical applications for the Omni Planter loudspeaker include rock-scape areas or any other environment where traditional satellite/subwoofer combinations cannot be installed. The Omni Planters are also ideal for large open seating venues such as outdoor theaters that demand detailed and dynamic coverage as well as high-output. Custom colors and configurations are available, including units without rear-firing satellites when situated in a corner or against a wall. Sturdy, tamper-proof brackets and bolts make the Omni Planter ideal for commercial applications and for securing to solid surfaces such as concrete.
Available models are:
- Omni Planter 89AT4-P 3-inch satellites/8-inch subwoofer $2,400.00 (each)
- Omni Planter 89AT70-P (premium 70-volt version) $2600.00 (each)
- Omni Planter 109AT4-P 4-inch satellites/10-inch subwoofer $2,900.00 (each)
- Omni Planter 109AT70-P (premium 70-volt version) $3,100.00 (each)
- Omni Planter 129AT4-P 6-inch satellites/12-inch subwoofer $3,400.00 (each)
- Omni Planter 129AT70-P (Premium 70-volt version) $3,600.00 (each)
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Symetrix Releases Control Server, USB Audio Card and Composer v5.6 Symetrix, Inc announced this week the release of the Control Server platform, as well as the USB Audio Card for its Dante-enabled Radius and Edge DSPs and an update to Composer v5.6, its award-winning open architecture design software.
Control Server is a web services platform for control of network AV systems, including Symetrix Radius, Edge, Prism, and Solus NX DSPs. Programmed using Composer, Control Server offers wired connections for the A/V network and built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) connectivity for control. Administer and operate from any web-connected computer or mobile device, such as tablets and smartphones. The web-based, multi-touch-enabled Symetrix app provides a user-friendly front end for user control functions.
Control Server comes equipped with one instance of Symetrix’ Mixer app, which provides 32 channel strips, each with an assignable fader and a mute button, and offers dynamic screen-sizing and orientation, making it easy to mix events with virtually any mobile device or computer browser. Users can easily group and hide channels, assign custom labels and colors, and adjust the fader resolution and travel. Multi-touch functionality enables multiple faders to be adjusted at the same time, just like a physical mixer.
The web-based Mixer instance can be saved to a smart device’s home page for instant access, appearing as a native app. Additional instances of Mixers may be purchased as needed. Multiple users can operate the same instance of an app, and user access control can be provided via username and password security for each user. A variety of apps delivering an assortment of useful functions will be available from Symetrix in the future.
Control Server’s hardware unit has a 1000 Base-T Ethernet port for Symetrix Composer host control, web-based administration, and control of devices on the A/V network. The half-rack space unit mounts in a standard 1 U rack tray (an optional, ½ U filler panel is available), or can be used with an optional ½ U surface-mount bracket all available from Symetrix. Power is delivered by an external 12 VDC adapter.
Symetrix’ USB Audio Card for Radius and Edge DSPs enables audio devices connected to these DSPs to send audio to, and return audio from, any computer that supports USB Audio Class 1 or Class 2. Most operating systems, including Windows, Mac OS, and UNIX, provide generic USB Class 1 drivers. A Class 2 driver for Windows is provided by Symetrix.
The USB Audio Card provides two modes of operation: Speakerphone and Line In/Out. Each mode offers two configuration settings. Speakerphone mode provides plug-and-play connectivity, and enables one input channel and one output channel. Soft-codec acoustic echo canceling (e.g., Skype, WebEx, and GoToMeeting) can be disabled in favor of Symetrix’ wide-band, low-latency AEC processing. Line In/Out mode is configurable for 2×2 or 8×8 recording and playback, using courtroom recording or audio production software. The USB Audio Card adds 8 USB audio inputs and 8 outputs to a Radius AEC or Radius 12×8 EX, and up to 32×32 input and outputs for Edge DSPs. A high-retention Type B USB port provides a standard and robust connection between DSP and computer.
Supporting the Control Server and the USB Audio Card, Symetrix has released Composer v5.6, the latest version of their programming software for Windows. With Composer v5.6, the web interface diagnostic page now shows Dante-related diagnostics, and each DSP unit supports connections with up to four Shure devices. Particularly noteworthy is the addition of Juice Goose Super-modules to control Juice Goose iP Series power sequencing and control devices. These Super-modules, which feature Symetrix’ custom graphic user interface, provide simultaneous user control of each individual pod, enabling the user to individually or sequentially power the pods up and down.
Control Server, USB Audio Card, and Composer v5.6 are available now. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Laird Intros 10Gig CAT6A Cables for HDBaseT Applications Laird Digital Cinema has introduced two high performing 10 Gig, Cat6A cable series featuring IP RJ45 connectivity for wired LAN and wireless access points, digital signage, PTZ security cameras, audio consoles and more.
The Laird CAT6A-REV cable assemblies feature Belden’s REVConnect system to enable easy connector modification in the field. The cable assembly is riser-rated and PoE ready for devices requiring power up to 100W and features a small bend radius for tight spaces. With superior crosstalk isolation and EMI suppression, Laird LD-REV6A cables are ideal for networking and HDBaseT applications with Category 5e, Category 6 and Category 6A RJ45 connections.
The Laird TUFFCAT6A-E series with 10G tactical network cable includes two different configurations, the EC model which terminates in RJ45 etherCON to RJ45 etherCON connectors and the EP assemblies which terminate in etherCON RJ45 to ProShell RJ45. The ruggedized CAT6A tactical cable is extra-flexible with a TPE jacket that withstands temperature extremes. The durable, locking connector system exceeds 10-Gig performance standards and is intermateable with existing etherCON CAT5. Laird TUFFCAT6A cables are designed for HDBaseT and UHD-4K video transmission in punishing environments such as live events and OB trucks.
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: We run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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