Volume 15, Issue 4 — February 16, 2017
|
Industry News Projection Unified Collaborative Conferencing Control & Signal Processing Digital Signage Audio Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories
|
|
|
The Crazy, Cautious and Amazing Future of Collaboration Boards — My Virtual Visit to ISE 2017
By Joel Rollins rAVe Columnist
I am in Amsterdam.
Or, at least I believe I am at this point. As many of you know, I am in the middle of a very large project and was unable to travel to Amsterdam for ISE this year. This is a pilgrimage I’ve made every year for quite a long time, in fact as long as the show has been in its current form. I was really disappointed not to be able to make the trip, not only because I have many friends in Amsterdam after all these years, but because I consider it the most important show in the audiovisual industry. However, in my disappointment, I decided to try to put my money where my mouth is. I spend my days helping organizations make distance irrelevant through videoconferencing and collaboration. In fact, I had considered attending the show using one of the videoconferencing robots that we now sell, but the construction of the convention center in Amsterdam being in many buildings prevents its use. For those of you will have not been to the RAI, it is in over a dozen buildings scattered over many acres.
So I decided that this week I would go on Amsterdam time, living in my videoconferencing equipped studio at home, and find out just how close I could come to monitoring the show as if I was there.
First of all, I discovered that jet lag is not something that you get from traveling. I know this because I have it now. It comes from being totally out of sync with the actual clock. So, all of the things that I write about the show and all of the podcasts that I do will look and sound just like last year, and you will see that I am both fascinated by what is going on and a little foggy. Yesterday, I recorded my first podcast with Gary, and we both look equally bleary-eyed.
So, each day I will be doing the daily podcast with Gary that we have always done to sum up the show. In between times, I will be following all of the coverage that is submitted and talking to various manufacturers and reps both here and in Amsterdam about the products that are being released and the events that are happening.
The news from day one:
First came the most important news as far as the industry is concerned. That is that the show drew more people than last year, proving that the current atmosphere in the world is not restricting travel or industrial participation as much as many of us thought it might. Those of us in the audiovisual industry have always been adventurous anyway. I live in the very cautious world of banks and hedge funds, which make up the majority of my clients. And I will tell you that the current world atmosphere has restricted their travel considerably, and is producing a huge boom in videoconferencing and collaboration sales.
Speaking of collaboration sales, the biggest news of the show from day one seems to be the introduction of the Cisco Spark Board. For those of you in the fruit and vegetable industry (who would be the only people who have not heard about it yet), it’s a touchscreen LED monitor that works with Cisco’s Spark collaboration system, a software system that takes you all the way from instant messaging to videoconferencing and everything in between — a collaboration board. I have a number of customers trying Spark. I’ve tried it myself — I love it and the interface, but my own organization can’t adopt it due to the fact that we have automated email that ties with our project management system. This is the downside of the entire product: You must adopt the way the product works, and that adoption ends up affecting people that don’t even use the board. In other words, if an organization wants to begin using the Spark Board in its executive conference rooms and huddle rooms, everyone in the organization must adopt Spark as their email, videoconferencing, and messaging clients. Otherwise, the organization will not have complete availability of their important operations data through Spark. This is the problem with my own organization, a Cisco dealer — for many years we have been developing a system where our emails and messages are automatically filtered for project management details and placed into the appropriate threads in our project management system. I don’t know for sure yet that we can’t adopt Spark, but I am certain that it wouldn’t be easy.
Another piece of news missing from the show that I am able to comment on because I am here rather than there, is that the Spark Board has an enormous competitor simultaneously coming to market in the Google Jamboard. This product works the same way that the Spark Board does — you must adopt its system for collaboration in order to use the board. The difference with the Google Jamboard is that all of its sharing is done through Google software, as you might expect. To get full functionality, you need to be using Google Docs, and Google’s system for email and sharing. The other big difference is that the Google Jamboard is considerably less expensive than the Cisco board. So this is going to produce an enormous competition in the market. Both of them are companies dominant in their fields, and you know that Cisco’s advertising budget for the Spark Board is huge. However, not only is Google’s budget even bigger, they also own the largest advertising channel. As a result, at the office, while both of these collaboration boards have been advertised for about the same period of time, we get FAR more inquiries already about the Google Jamboard. Of course, we have already had many kinds of collaboration boards in the market from companies like Sharp and InFocus, but these two boards, because of their integrated software, are considerably easier to use than their predecessors.
Some of you are probably saying, “What about the Microsoft product that was going to completely dominate the market?” Well, if you would look back at my podcast from last year, and from the year before, I predicted that Microsoft would never be the ones to dominate this market. I have had several important clients adopt the Microsoft board temporarily. But it is expensive and confusing. Both the new Cisco Spark Board and the new Google Jamboard are going to do better in the collaboration board market (I predict).
Other news from the show is that VR has a smaller presence than I thought it would have. This is probably because the big push in VR product is coming from outside our industry. Current proponents like Google and Facebook do not exhibit their products at the show, which is something that must change. These products are going to have an enormous influence in the industry, and while we don’t know the final form that they will take, we do know that the advertising budgets that are making our clients aware of these products are equally massive.
Have to end this now. The show is opening in Amsterdam and I need to virtually travel to the show, which is downstairs in my studio. Follow us for more coverage. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
|
At ISE, Crestron Goes Big (and Small), and Biamp Steps Towards Dante
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
Editor’s Note: Leonard Suskin has additional thoughts on Biamp’s TesiraFORTÉ DAN, which you can read here.
ISE has never been quite as big to me as InfoComm, though not for any particular reason. Perhaps it’s that time-zone differential is even worse heading East across the ocean than West to Las Vegas [or due South to Florida]. Perhaps it’s that most of my friends and contacts in the industry are American and more likely to be at InfoComm, even if I’m not. That said, it’s important to always have ones pulse on the industry. On that note, here are a few takeaways from the opening days of ISE:
Crestron Is Thinking Small
The biggest splash this week in distant Amsterdam should belong to my neighbors from New Jersey with not one, but two interesting announcements.
On the “small” side is the introduction of Mercury — essentially a USB/SIP speakerphone with, at the very least, a wireless video gateway and small touchscreen. Why is this interesting? Because there are still a host of smallish collaborative spaces from which we in the AV industry are largely shut out; for the purpose of audio-conferencing, a four, six, or even eight-person meeting room can often be served as well by a speakerphone in the middle of the table as with an integrated AV system. Replacing the speakerphone with an AV device brings us back into those spaces and puts that much more of the conferencing into our scope, where we want it.
This is another approach to the same challenge Biamp answered with their Devio tool; what do we do with collaboration and communications, which are moving away from our sphere of influence? This is distinct from the video to USB bridge products from Vaddio, Extron, Marshall and others. A USB bridge lets users bring software tools into the integrated AV environment. Discrete tools like the Devio and Mercury let users bring a quality AV experience out of the integrated spaces and into smaller, simpler rooms.
The Crestron solution is the most interesting from a traditional AV vendor into this area that I’ve seen; it isn’t just a speakerphone, but it’s a speakerphone with the kind of technology that we’ve come to associate with AV spaces. It’s the single-device conference-room solution for the smallest and most often overlooked spaces. This is the most interesting thing I’ve seen from Crestron in quite some time.
Crestron Is Thinking Big
The other splash from Crestron — and one which I didn’t expect [yes, I know that I’m easily surprised] is the introduction of a JPEG2000 video over IP solution: NVX. This is interesting in that it’s Crestron’s first foray into the kind of low-latency visually-lossless IP distribution that can replace HDBaseT for point-to-point transport in large systems. A week ago, Crestron’s design direction was to use HDBaseT for in-room transport and H.264 for broadcast or overflow to serve a wider area. This isn’t a bad solution for most environments, but there are clear advantages to IP distribution in larger systems, particularly those with asymmetrical input/output counts. That Crestron is stepping into this arena closes what had been one of the few gaps in their video distribution ecosystem.
The NVX appears to be — on paper — very similar to JPEG2000 products I’ve seen from SVSI, Just Add Power and others. In addition to routing an arbitrary count of inputs and outputs, the NVX series will include the kind of basic video-wall routing, text and graphic overlays, and similar features which we’ve come to expect from this class of product.
What’s most interesting about this is that Crestron doesn’t appear to see this as an either/or. They’re still expanding their DM-family of products with a 4K version of the now-venerable DMPS-300 series. There are reasons this makes sense, but that’s another post. This was, for my money, a very interesting show from Crestron.
Everyone Has a Digital Whiteboard
The one thing Crestron does not yet make is a digital whiteboard. That’s OK, as nearly everyone else appears to be offering one. We still have industry veterans SMART Technologies, the Microsoft Surface Hub, and now the Cisco Spark Board (and, from outside of ISE, the Google Jamboard). These products have become very similar — gateways to ecosystems. The Google Jamboard ties into Google apps, the Surface Hub into Skype for Business and similar Microsoft applications, etc.
The potential threat is to those standalone devices without their own set of widely-adopted applications. I can foresee the “default” option being to choose the device which fits one’s organization.
The all-in-one touch-enabled whiteboard is, in its way, the higher-tech, higher-cost answer to the question Crestron answered with the Mercury speakerphone at the beginning of this post: What do we do with small, low-cost collaborative spaces? For many clients, I suspect that the speakerphone option is the more easily adopted one; dialing what looks like a desktop phone is easier and more familiar than even the simplest touch-enabled LCD devices. These devices certainly have a place, but it’s a bit of a niche.
Biamp Steps Towards Dante
Biamp made one of their rare missteps quite a few years ago when they chose AVB over Dante as the primary vehicle for audio transport within their then-new generation of DSP devices. Today they’ve added Dante to their TesiréForte line of products, removing the biggest hurdle to using the product in smaller rooms with third-party endpoints. AVB still forms the basis of their video-transport Tesira Lux product line with the time-synchronization advantages therein.
What does this mean? It means that Biamp can now compete in mid-size spaces with, for example, a Shure MX910 ceiling microphone. It means that the wide, wide range of third-party Dante I/O devices can be used with the smaller Biamp DSP devices as well as the larger Tesira Server models.
We’ll see what else comes from the show, and what more will come this summer in Orlando. Perhaps I’ll be there in meatspace for once, or perhaps I’ll be where I’ve been for the past two years, watching from a distance. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
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
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Audinate Previews Dante Domain Manager at ISE Audinate is giving attendees to ISE 2017 the first opportunity to see the new Dante Domain Manager (DDM) platform, a complete network management solution bringing enterprise-grade system administration to the AV world. Audinate says the Dante Domain Manager makes audio networking more secure, more scalable and more manageable than ever before.
Dante Domain Manager allows administrators to secure their audio networks from unwanted changes and modifications, and provides the ability to scale and segment audio networks regardless of the physical constraints of the network. With Dante Domain Manager, integrators can define specific AV device groupings, by room, building and site, allowing for the creation of independent Dante Domains and enabling a single Dante Domain to encompass multiple IP subnets.
Dante Domain Manager provides security features including user authentication and control, role administration and integration with Active Directory. System managers gain complete visibility and accountability through a suite of user-defined dashboards, audit trails, alerts and messages.
Audinate’s Dante Domain Manager will be available in the second half of 2017. You can learn more here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
NEC Debuts Compact RB Laser Cinema Projector NEC Display Solutions Europe today announced it’s shipping its new NC1700L RB laser cinema projector. Designed for cinema screens of up to 17 metres (55 feet) wide and built around RB laser light source, the light output is achieved by using a red laser source that NEC says offers a higher light output than comparable projectors and more intense and natural playback of red colour tones. Most laser projectors use a blue light source.
The NC1700L laser projector removes the need for lamp exchange or filter cleaning and allows up to 30,000 hours of almost maintenance-free operation. With its advanced cooling system and low operational noise, there is nothing to distract cinema goers from their cinema experience.
In addition to these benefits, the NC1700L allows for easy installation without the need for a special exhaust system. This installation flexibility is further supported through the use of a much wider lens shift ratio that does not impact on image quality. Furthermore, the projector’s connectivity options make it perfectly adaptable to screening non-cinematic activities such as company presentations or gaming events. These means cinema operators can increase usage and maximise revenue.
The NEC NC1700L RB laser cinema projector will be available this month. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Biamp Systems Expands TesiraFORTÉ Platform with Shure Partnership Biamp Systems today announced the TesiraFORTÉ DAN range of audio processors. This is a collaboration between Biamp and Shure where the new DAN line of audio processors directly interface with the Shure MXA beamforming line of microphones. The TesiraFORTÉ DAN will be displayed at the Biamp booth (3-A75) at ISE 2017, Feb. 7-10 at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre in Amsterdam.
The TesiraFORTÉ DAN will be offered in four fixed I/O models — the same models as the original TesiraFORTÉ family (AI, CI, TI and VI) — with the addition of 32×32 channels of audio via the Dante Brooklyn II module. All models of TesiraFORTÉ DAN are standard with 12 mic/line inputs, eight line outputs, Ethernet control, RS232, USB audio with up to eight channels of configurable audio, four general purpose I/Os and an OLED display.
The TesiraFORTÉ DAN VI, TI and CI models feature Biamp’s AEC technology to eliminate acoustic echoes and feedback. Users can centrally or remotely control the devices with Tesira’s software program. The system allows direct native connectivity to devices such as the Shure MXA910 ceiling microphone, enabling integrators to better design, install and commission conferencing systems for their customers.
The TesiraFORTÉ DAN processor can be networked with other TesiraFORTÉ DAN units, or with a Tesira SERVER IO containing a DAN-1 card. With this setup, the servers can pass audio throughout the ecosystem, which is configured through the Dante Controller.
You can see all the specs here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Eiki Intros the EK-100 Series Classroom ProjectorsEiki International debuted the EK-100 Classroom Series Projectors, all 3LCD. The new EK-100 Series includes four models:
- the EK-100W with 3,600 ANSI Lumens brightness and WXGA resolution
- the EK-101X with 4,200 ANSI Lumens and XGA resolution
- the EK-102X with 3,300 ANSI Lumens and XGA resolution
- the EK-103X with 3,300 ANSI Lumens and XGA resolution
Common to all four models in the EK-100 Series product line is their 10,000-hour lamp life (in economy mode, 4,000 in normal mode). The EK-100W, 101X and 102X have a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as Corner Keystone Correction. The line includes convenient 1.48-1.78:1 throw to width manual zoom and focus lens.
Eiki’s new EK-100 Meeting Room Series Projectors are shipping now and list prices are:
- EK-100W: $995
- EK-101X: $995
- EK-102X: $845
- EH-103X $695
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
KLIK Tries to Stay Relevant with 2.0The new KLIK 2.0 is an upgrade to the original KLIK wireless presenter sharing box (think: Barco ClickShare LITE). KLIK allows you to use your computer, tablet, or smartphone’s Wi-Fi to connect directly to KLIK Boks which connect to a display via HDMI output that’s native 1920×1080.
The included KLIK software enables you to manage multiple presentations, annotate live presentations, stream video, audio and slide shows and turn touch screen displays into a recordable whiteboard.
Version 2.0 allows you to connect via an IP Address (rather than Wi-Fi) to the KLIK Boks even when network discovery is switched off and now it adds support for Apple AirPlay video.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Polycom Intros RealPresence Immersive Studio FlexThe new Polycom RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex is their latest immersive room videoconferencing system. Everything is 4K (even the low-res sources are upscaled to 4K) and the system uses multiple 65” displays to immerse attendees. Integrated with Polycom 3D Voice, digital ceiling microphones and a system that allows for annotation and whiteboarding from your own laptop or mobile device, the RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex even includes Skype for Business integration plus Polycom RealConnect.
RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex is being promoted as affordable. With RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex you can select just what’s needed to fit with the rooms and furniture you already have in place.
Features include:
- Video and content up to 1080p60 quality, for up to 50 percent less bandwidth with H.264 High Profile support
- Quality protected by Polycom Lost Packet Recovery QoS technology that helps ensure great quality even amid network issues
- Three 65” (165-cm) 4k UltraHD LCD displays, showing up to six participants in full size (two per display)
- 55” 1080p display for content. Users can move content to one or all of the 65” displays
- Polycom 3D Voice uses advanced three-channel processing to deliver highly accurate positional audio along with unrivaled clarity
- RealPresence Touch delivers a simple and intuitive interface on a 10.1” display
- Skype for Business integration, including presence and status, native video and audio protocols, and content receive
- Telepresence Interoperability Protocol (TIP) interoperability delivers connectivity to other immersive solutions, making it easier to deploy mixed environments and connect with customers and partners
- AES software encryption for the voice, video and data streams of the call, keeping critical meetings confidential and secure
- Your IT staff can manage RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex as easily as any other video device using Polycom RealPresence
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
VuWall Debuts CoScape VuWall’s new all-in-one presentation system, CoScape, is different from other presentation systems in the market because it allows users to give a presentation in three simple steps, with no need to make choices. Those steps are:
1. Connect your device to the room Wi-Fi
2. Insert the CoScape USB key
3. Content appears on the video wall or projection screen
CoScape supports multi-display output, hybrid source formats and is truly collaborative. It comes with an integrated control panel that can run on mobile devices, that is easy to use and that can be customized.
In addition to the ability of wirelessly sharing the content users have on their laptops or mobile devices, they can also share sources that can’t be brought wirelessly: video conferencing systems, TV tuners or just local applications running on the CoScape controller like high resolution PDF files, web pages, PowerPoint presentations, etc. CoScape is offered in different versions: 2, 6, 9 or 12 outputs, and it supports up to 4K resolution on each output. Participants can also use the mouse and keyboard of the CoScape controller to control each wireless source displayed on the wall.
VuWall is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
It’s Official: Bose Enters Audioconferencing Market with ControlSpace EXBose Professional just launched themselves into a new market with the new ControlSpace EX audio conferencing system. The system includes the new ControlSpace EX-1280C conferencing signal processor and three new Dante-based ControlSpace under-table endpoints (EX-4ML, EX-8ML and EX-UH). Bose says it was designed with input from integrators and thus, the system features connectivity for various types of audio conferencing, including USB, VoIP, PSTN, analog and phone headset audio.
The ControlSpace EX-1280C processor features:
- Advanced AEC: 12 routable acoustic echo cancellers (AEC) with adaptable noise cancellation, non- linear processing and comfort noise to enhance the clarity and intelligibility of the meeting; multiple AEC references support multiple rooms and zones
- Dante audio networking: 64×64 Dante audio networking for digital audio connectivity with any Dante-based product, including newer conferencing microphones
- All-in-one connectivity: 12 mic/line analog inputs, eight analog outputs, eight Bose AmpLink digital outputs, USB (stereo in/out), VoIP (2 lines) and PSTN.
- Open-architecture signal processing: provides the flexibility needed for any conferencing application.
- SIP 2.0 compliant VoIP: Includes a web-configurable interface, two independent lines with multiple call appearances, and support for popular codecs including G.722 HD, G.726, & G.711.
- Front-Panel Display: Large 256 x 64 element OLED display and rotary knob for metering, viewing/changing IP settings and more.
All three EX Dante under-table endpoints feature PoE, daisy-chainable power and networking, multiple mounting options and a slim, high-density form factor that makes them suitable for mounting under conference tables. The two under-table microphone interfaces, the EX-4ML and EX-8ML (four and eight channels respectively), feature 48V phantom power as well as +12V LED power and three logic IO per channel (one in, two out), to interface with most types of analog conferencing microphones. The EX-UH Dante under-table endpoint extends conferencing use to include BYOD applications such as connecting mobile phones, laptops and telephone headsets using the built-in 3.5 mm TRRS analog jack, stereo-audio USB and RJ-9 connector.
All components are configured and controlled with Bose ControlSpace Designer 5.0 software. ControlSpace Remote 2.1 has been upgraded to support the new EX and includes a dialer for creating a complete tablet-based user interface for conference rooms. Drivers for popular control systems are also available.
The ControlSpace EX system is being introduced at Integrated Systems Europe this week and we had a videocast to talk to Bose about it this month – you can see or listen to that here and see it on their website here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
HARMAN Pro’s AMX Intros Acendo Core Room Collaboration System HARMAN Professional Solutions today introduced the AMX Acendo Core presentation solution for huddle spaces and small meeting environments. One unique feature is that Acendo Core features direct integration with Microsoft Exchange scheduling, Skype for Business integration, native document viewers and email document sharing.
Built-in document viewers and rendering allow users to present content without bringing anything to the room. Users can simply start a session, navigate to their document on a USB drive, network drive or the Web and begin their presentation. For enterprises who store documents on network drives, Acendo Core integrates natively with Microsoft Active Directory so users can authenticate into a meeting and instantly access stored content. Users can quickly view the current availability of a meeting space and reserve the room for the desired time. Near the end of the scheduled meeting, participants receive an on-screen notification that their meeting is about to end. This provides the opportunity to wrap up the meeting, book the room for additional time, or search for another available room if the current space is already reserved for an upcoming meeting.
Acendo Core is thin enough to mount behind a display, or you can just mount it on a wall or place it in a credenza. Here are the tech specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Crestron Uses intoPIX JPEG 2000 Technology in New AV-Over-IP DigitalMedia NVX Series Crestron announced their entry into the video-over-IP market with the new DigitalMedia NVX Series. The DigitalMedia NVX is basically a series of encoders (VGA, HDMI, etc) to 1-Gig Ethernet network and then decoders (1-Gig Ethernet to HDMI, VGA, etc.) and then you use a standard 1-Gig capable switch or router to send the AV signal (video, audio and control) to multiple destinations and control it via a control system. Crestron is actually using intoPIX’s JPEG 2000 technology in its new DigitalMedia NVX Series architecture, their AV over IP networking system. It’s debuting here at ISE. The intoPIX FPGA based compression algorithm is what is enabling the DigitalMedia NVX Series to deliver a 4K60 4:4:4 HDR video within a standard 1-Gigabit Ethernet network.
And, Crestron is claiming “no latency.”
Here are full specs on the product [PDF].
If you want to know who intoPIX is, go here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Barco Adds New Switcher to Event Master Line Barco has added a new switcher to its Event Master portfolio of screen management systems with an expansion unit. The Event Master Ex processor allows for linking the Ex with the Event Master processors (E2 or S3-4K), not only allows users to grow their input and output capacity but it enables them to expand the scaling and switching power of their entire system. When linked with a fiber optic cable the Ex can be in a different location than the E2 or S3-4K, up to 100 meters away, acting as a true stage box. The new Ex processor is currently shipping.
And, two Event Master Ex processors with up to two input cards and two output cards can be connected to each E2/S3-4K link connection. This enables eight inputs and eight outputs per link connection. For the E2, this means up to 32 additional inputs and outputs and for the S3-4K, this adds up to 16 inputs and outputs — all without adding another full-sized processing chassis. What’s more, the Ex allows signals to or from a stage to be concentrated via the Ex processor and transported over a single, bi-directional fiber to the Host unit. In this way it acts as a unique stage box application that doesn’t leave Event Master users flying blind. The Event Master system has been designed from the beginning to accommodate the Ex processor, allowing inputs and outputs on the Ex to be visible in the Host unit’s multi-viewer.
Event Master features modular I/O cards and software that can be used across the entire product family. So, video professionals can flexibly configure their systems and service their units in the field. This also makes cabling and systems simpler. And, as they not only bring the latest interfaces, but new features as well, the cards make the Event Master range future-proof.
The system can be configured to provide a 4×4 scaling matrix of HD sources, or scaling and converting to/from 4K@60p. Users can link up to two stand-alone processors for an 8×8 HD or 2×2 4K60p scaling matrix.
Here are the technical details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
ATEN Launches HDBaseT 2.0 DVI Dual View Extender ATEN today launched an HDBaseT 2.0 DVI dual view extender at ISE 2017. The ATEN CE624 integrates the latest HDBaseT 2.0 technologies to extend the most reliable transmission of dual view video, audio, USB and RS-232 signals up to 490 feet via a single Cat6/6a cable, with the dual view function enabling video output to be displayed on two monitors.
The ATEN CE624 features:
- Dual View with Long Distance High Quality Video: The CE624 not only supports HDBaseT Standard mode up to 325 feet with 1920×1200 resolutions, but also provides a Long Reach mode, which extends two DVI signals and USB2.0/Audio/RS232 signals up to 490 feet with 1280×720 resolutions.
- Extend USB 2.0 and PCM Audio Simultaneously: The CE624 includes three USB 2.0 ports and 2-channel PCM digital audio to ensure fast transmission speeds for keyboard, mouse and peripherals, and high-quality audio transmissions with DVI.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Clear-Com Shows Dante-Enabled Interface Card Clear-Com has announced that it will launch a Dante interface card for the Eclipse-HX matrix (E-Dante64-HX) at ISE 2017. The card, which is compatible with Eclipse HX-Omega, Median and Delta matrix systems, supports Dante and is AES67 compatible, allowing users to transport up to 64 channels of high quality audio to multiple Dante-enabled devices using standard Ethernet network infrastructure.
The E-Dante64-HX Interface Card provides Eclipse HX with 16, 32 or 64 channels of low latency, high quality AoIP interconnection. It supports all standard sample frequencies for professional use, including a 96kHz/32-channel option. Other features include:
- channel quantity, health and sample rate indicators
- primary and secondary RJ-45 or fiber connections
- port label data exchange to intercom panel keys
- up to 64 ports per card; maximum of seven cards per frame
- supports third party AES67 interfaces
The E-Dante64-HX Interface Card will be available this month. Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Crestron Adds Multi-Window Video Processor to DM Room Solutions Crestron today announced the addition of the DM Multi-Window Video Processor (HD-WP-4K-401-C) to the line of DigitalMedia room solutions. The HD-WP-4K-401-C is marketed as a “cost-effective” solution for displaying up to four 4K60 video sources simultaneously on a single HD, Ultra HD or 4K display. Using Automatic mode, the screen configures itself based on the number of connected sources, PIP (Picture-In-Picture) windowing is also supported, and the size and location of the PIP window can be managed at setup or while in operation using the front panel controls, a web browser, or a control system.
Each video window can be designated with a custom text label and can be positioned at any location to display a static label or dynamic pop-up message from the control system. The HD-WP-4K-401-C provides parallel HDMI and HDBaseT outputs for flexible connectivity to the display device and other equipment. They can be used simultaneously, providing identical signals at each output. The HDBaseT output is also compatible with DM receivers, switchers and the Crestron DM-DGE-200-C. Input sources up to 4K are supported via four HDMI inputs.
Up to four Crestron Connect It Cable Caddies (TT-100) can be added for convenient BYOD connectivity so participants press the soft-touch button on their cable caddy. Four USB ports on the HD-WP-4K-401-C provide power and communications for each cable caddy.
Setup and configuration of the HD-WP-4K-401-C is simple using the front panel controls or a web browser. Standalone operation is supported for set-and-forget video windowing applications, and for small AV presentation applications. The HD-WP-4K-401-C is also fully controllable through integration with a Crestron control system, which also enables centralized control, monitoring, and room scheduling through integration with the Crestron Fusion Cloud enterprise management service. When used without a control system, the HD-WP-4K-401-C provides on/off power control of the display device.
Here are the technical specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
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
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Vivitek Intros NovoDS-4K Digital Signage Player Vivitek today announced the NovoDS-4K digital signage player.
The new NovoDS-4K is a wireless 4K resolution (3840×2160) digital signage player that is capable of outputting 4K@60 and includes what the company is calling an easy-to-use software content creation package. The NovoDS-4K has both HDMI input and output, built-in Wi-Fi, built-in internal storage, playlist creation, dynamic content generation (Twitter, RSS, YouTube, Google Calendar, Dropbox, weather, HTML, etc.), centralized device management over the network with remote monitoring.
The NovoDS-4K lists for £699 and will ship in March. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
HARMAN Pro’s JBL Brand Debuts All-Weather Speaker Series With Ultra-Compact AWC62 LoudspeakerHARMAN Professional Solutions today announced the JBL AWC62 all-weather two-way coaxial loudspeaker, the latest addition to the JBL AW and AWC Series speakers.
Like all AWC speakers, the AWC62 incorporates a coaxial driver and the AWC62 offers a consistent 110° coverage with high output in a cabinet that measures just 10.2 x 10.2 x 10.1 inches. A unique design with a coaxial 6.5-inch low-frequency driver and 1-inch high-frequency compression driver eliminates high-frequency beaming common among speakers in this class, and extends pattern control to lower frequencies, delivering pristine sound quality with a broad frequency range of 70Hz-18kHz.
The AWC62 is IP56 rated for long-term outdoor use and has a fiberglass reinforced ABS cabinet and highly treated grille with multi-layer weather backing provide protection from dust, wind and heavy rain. The enclosure is heavily braced for exceptional low-frequency performance, with a Kevlar-reinforced low-frequency cone and a high-temperature voice coil for smooth frequency response.
The AWC62 joins a complete family of powerful outdoor loudspeakers by HARMAN, including larger AWC and AW Series products, as well as WRC- and WRX-treated versions of the JBL AE Series. AWC62 speakers provide 175-watt power handling and are equipped with a 120W 70V/100V multi-tap transformer. Each AWC62 ships with a heavy-duty, weather-capable U-type mounting bracket for easy installation. JBL AWC62 loudspeakers are now available in light gray or black (-BK).
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
AKG Debuts New AKG HC644 and LC617 Hands-Free Microphones HARMAN Professional Solutions today introduced the AKG HC644 head-worn and LC617 lavalier microphones for presentation and speech applications. The new microphones are directly compatible with all AKG body-pack wireless transmitters and are adaptable to most popular wireless systems, making them ideal for presentations in classrooms, lecture halls and multiuse event facilities of any size.
AKG HC644 is a head-worn miniature condenser microphone with a slim headband, and LC617 is a clip-on omnidirectional lavalier mic with rotating clip. RF shielding prevents electromagnetic interference such as the crowded 2.4 GHz frequency, cell phones and other high-power wireless devices from ruining the signal. The built-in MicroDot connector allows each mic to be used with a variety of connection types, as well as all major wireless microphone systems.
Also the AKG HC644 and LC617 are designed to use thinner cables and have more mounting options that enable users to hide the cable and mount the microphone quickly and easily. The moisture-resistant design deflects precipitation and the presenter’s perspiration away from the mic using a protective wire-mesh layer. They are available in black and beige color options.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Clear-Com Debuts New Intercom Products at ISEAt ISE 2017, Clear-Com is debuting new wireless intercom system and a digital beltpack for the HelixNet partyline intercom system. Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak II wireless intercom system and the new FreeSpeak II-Base II both operate in both 1.9GHz and 2.4GHz frequency bands, support up to 25 wireless beltpacks on a single base station, and cover an expansive production area with its distributed-antenna transceivers network and splitters (FSII-SPL). Also new are two built-in optional SFP fibre connectors at the rear of the Base Station for linking and positioning antenna transceivers nearly 20,000 meters away from the base station, extending the reach of the wireless solution. FreeSpeak II has also been favored for its 7kHz audio clarity and strong RF connections for continuous reliable communications.
Clear-Com is also introducing the newly-designed HelixNet beltpack (HXII-BP-X4) for the high- density and high user capacity digital partyline intercom system. HXII-BP-X4 features a lighter-weight, tougher and more ergonomic design, while offering much more flexibility to access any two of the 24 channels on the system over Power-over-Ethernet (PoE). Each beltpack can be assigned and access any one of the 24 intercom channels to a single intercom key, or multiple channels to a single key set, thanks to the ‘Stacked Key’ feature. It operates over a single microphone cable for digital powerline or a single PoE cable. With the new HXII-BP-X4 beltpack using PoE, HelixNet customers can add many more digital beltpacks to the system than ever before — all in one single rack-unit.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
RTS Shows ROAMEO Wireless Intercom System ROAMEO from RTS is a professional wireless intercom solution based on the license-free DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) standard with a protected frequency band. It provides high-quality audio over a seamlessly integrated digital wireless beltpack and associated access points. ROAMEO is designed for a wide range of professional intercom applications where wireless communication is critical, including broadcast production studios, theater and sport event productions, houses of worship, commercial buildings and outside broadcast (OB) trucks.
Operating like a wireless keypanel, ROAMEO can be fully integrated into all existing wired digital RTS matrices. The system allows users to address either individuals or specified groups. The system consists of the TR-1800 beltpack, the AP-1800 access point and accessories including charger, holster and pole-mount kit. Connection to a digital matrix is easily established via a single Ethernet cable. In addition, the system can use standard IT infrastructure, which ensures easy installation and low maintenance costs; the access points can be daisy-chained.
ROAMEO’s cellular structure can cover a wide area with roaming between the individual cells. Users can easily expand the coverage area by adding further access points, while additional wireless beltpacks can be directly addressed as part of a wired RTS matrix intercom system. Depending on the audio codec used, users can select between a higher emphasis on voice quality (G.722 full bandwidth) or a more efficient use of the radio spectrum with a higher number of beltpacks (G.726 narrow-band).
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Media Solutions Debuts an HDBaseT Test Generator Media Solutions has announced the first handheld HDBaseT tester with a built-in HDMI pattern generator. In addition to monitoring, logging and diagnostics capabilities, the new MS-TestPro tester with built-in HDMI pattern generator says it will simplify the in-field performance analysis process of HDBaseT devices, cabling and overall configurations.
The new built-in HDMI pattern generator in the MS-TestPro supports both CEA and DMT resolutions up to 4K/28Hz, making it compatible with virtually every AV source and display device available. Because it reduces complexity and requires no additional pattern generating equipment, the MS-TestPro provides reliable on-site analysis that saves time and money on every HDBaseT installation.
One click on the 3.5” touchscreen displays basic performance diagnostics for fast analysis of connectivity signals, including go/no-go indication, cable length, pixel clock and Tx/Rx overall performance. More advanced installers and integrators can drill down into the results for detailed analysis on the MS-TestPro screen or on any browser using the optional Wi-Fi interface.
The MS-TestPro also houses a detachable Rx module and Tx module. It emulates an HDBaseT transmitter or receiver device, operating up to pixel rates of 300MHz, enough to test for 4K ultra-high definition devices. It allows for testing of both source and sink devices installed up to 100m/328ft away.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Middle Atlantic Debuts Small Device Mounting Behind the Display at ISE 2017 Middle Atlantic Products’ Proximity Series Mounting Plate will make it’s EMEA debut today in Amsterdam at ISE. The Proximity Series Mounting Plate comes integrated with most of the standard-profile mounts in the VDM series. As a universal display solution, it can also be used with existing mounts in applications that don’t require customers to upgrade the entire mount.
The Middle Atlantic Products’ VDM series includes 17 mounts in a range of sizes and in fixed, tilt, motion, standard-profile and low-profile options, accommodating VESA patterns up to 800 mm. The series comes standard with safety features that keep the display securely attached to the mount during and after installation, and all the hardware needed to ensure a professional installation. The series’ motion mounts feature up to 24 inches of reach, tilt adjustment, wall plate cover, and built-in cable management. An integrated kickstand provides accessibility for servicing of the low-profile models.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Draper Claims Industry’s Biggest Thin-Bezel Screen Draper’s thin bezel frame screen experience is now shipping. The Profile+ fixed screen has only a ½ inch thin bezel frame. Available in sizes up to 30 feet wide, the Profile+ provides the industry’s biggest “flat panel look.” The frame is lighter and easy to assemble, and the new sliding hook-and-loop viewing surface attachment system is incredibly simple. Optional LED lights frame the Profile+ with thousands of color possibilities. The Profile+ also comes with a Zero Edge option — again, at 30 feet wide the biggest in the industry.
To top it all off, the Profile+ is available with all of Draper’s Optically Seamless, ISF certified, 8K-ready TecVision formulations, so there’s a Profile+ solution for any need — from 3D to Ambient Light Rejection. The all-new Profile+ can be wall mounted or flown.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: We run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
Don’t like us? Then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send us feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to founder Gary at gary@ravepubs.com or Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
Everything we publish is opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship publication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition is co-published with CEDIA, covering the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
To read more about rAVe’s team and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top |
Copyright 2017 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: Sara@rAVePubs.com
rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
|
|
|