Pantel’s New Waterproof Outdoor Monitors Are Perfect for ED Applications of Digital Signage Pantel, known as a leader in outdoor weatherproof TV and monitor solutions, this month announced a new line of weatherproof LCDs aimed at the digital signage-market – perfect for on-campus high-tech wayfinding and emergency alert systems as well as football stadium box seats where the monitors are exposed to the elements.The new 42- and 52-inch models have been designed specifically for use in commercial DS applications, whether indoors, or outdoors in the elements. They are available with an optional internal computer package and also in either vertical or horizontal configurations. The new 42- and 52-inch models are priced at $5,999.99 and $12,999.99, respectively, with additional computer and heating options also available. All models are scheduled for availability in Q1 2009. Check out the specs of the new monitors at: http://www.panteltv.com/ It’s interesting to see Digital Signage market and applications grow. As exhibited here, you can literally get your message out anywhere!
–GB To discuss this article in our forums, go here: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=27&func=showcat&catid=14 Back to Top Sharp Launches Two DLPs: One 16:9 and One 4:3 Sharp’s new DLP BrilliantColor PG-D4010X and PG-D3750W projectors are certainly among the highest brightness single-lamp DLP projectors currently on the market. At 4000 and 3700 ANSI Lumens respectively, and specified 2200:1 contrast ratio, these projectors are high-end alternatives to the sub-$1000 projectors that many universities and K-12 institutions use – and shouldn’t. These sub-$1000 projectors are ok for portable environments, but for installs, they just don’t cut it.For a true 16:10 widescreen presentation (or native 720p HD), the PG-D3750W offers Wide XGA (WXGA) resolution (1280 x 800) and the PG-D4010X provides XGA native resolution (1024×768). In addition to being bright, one unique feature of both projectors is that they don’t have a changeable filter and Sharp says this leads to less maintenance, resulting in lower cost of ownership and longer use. A low power so-called “eco” mode extends the projectors’ lamp life up to approximately 3000 hours and reduces fan noise (30dB) — considered very quiet for that brightness level in a DLP projector. The PG-D4010X includes a DVI-I analog/digital source with HDCP compliance while the PG-D3750W includes an HDMI connection with CEC function for seamless control of HD video equipment connected via the HDMI terminal. Both models also have a plethora of other inputs including RGB and component inputs, S-video, composite video, as well as an RS-232C port, a USB input for mouse control and integrated network-control via Ethernet. To learn more about either one of these, go to: http://www.sharpusa.com/products/projectors/multimediaLanding/1,2109,,00.html As mentioned in this month’s column, I don’t have as much day to day involvement with repair/maintenance issues. That said, the non-changeable filter catches my attention for ensuring such a unit is applied to the right setting(s).
–GB Back to Top Crestron RoomView Adds Emergency Broadcasting for Crestron Connected Classrooms Crestron has added a new feature to RoomView remote help desk and resource management software that allows emergency messages to be broadcast to any network device supporting dynamic text, including SMART boards, projectors, displays, and touch panels. Messages can be sent to a single room, group of rooms, or campus-wide, and can be updated as the situation evolves.For more information on RoomView, go to www.crestron.com A campus-wide digital signage implementation can be tricky. Adding emergency messaging most assuredly makes it tricker; perhaps looking to blend in this type of technology would provide a sensible opportunity for redundancy?
–GB Back to Top InFocus Launches Large Venue Projector InFocus Corporation recently announced the availability of the IN5108 — a projector they are aiming at the Large Venue projection category. The LCD-based IN5108 is native SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) resolution projector that claims to have 4000 ANSI lumens, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, weighs about 25 pounds and has less than 32db in fan noise. Using a 2000-hour lamp, the projector has RS-232 control, has analog computer and HDMI (1.3a) inputs — no SDI though), has lens shift (horizontal and vertical) and includes an embedded Ethernet port for IP-based control. List price is $5499. InFocus says the InFocus IN5108 will be available this month through what they call “exclusive InFocus partners” and can be seen here, on their website: http://www.infocus.com/Products/Projectors/IN5108.aspx Two things come to mind; first being that ”exclusive partners” are perhaps die hard past customers? Secondly, and more generally, is to note that I’m very much on the fence as to the best way to move/connect digital video for the future (more, on that, later).
–GB To discuss this article in our forums, go here: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=27&func=showcat&catid=14 Back to Top projectiondesign Develops Projector for Medical Schools and Hospitals Aimed at medical imaging applications, the new projectiondesign F22sx+Medical projector is a single-chip DLP-based, SXGA+ (1400 x 1050) resolution projector that uses Philip’s new VIDI lamp technology for better colorimetry.The new F22sx+Medical is identical to the standard F22 series in it’s performance and 10-bit video processing but also adds numerous features dedicated to medical imaging tasks, such as DICOM compliant and it’s pre-loaded Clearbase and Bluebase calibration settings. Projectiondesign claims that its high-resolution digital interface, paired with digital DLP technology, makes it an incredibly color-accurate accurate projector. Finally, F22sx+Medical projector can, unlike most DLP projectors, display a 3:4 portrait mode picture without sacrificing performance or reliability as it’s heat exhaustion system allows it to be mounted horizontally or vertically. Although we have a picture of the projector, projectiondesign does not have the F22 on their website yet, but when they do, it will be here: http://www.projectiondesign.com/Default.asp?CatID=1070 I’ve looked at projectiondesign projectors in the past (InfoComm), with interest. There are some niche features here, like anticipating mounting horizontally or vertically; hmm, got my wheels turning… where can I mount a projector vertically?
–GB Back to Top UNC – Chapel Hill Adds Rave Guardian Campus-Wide Emergency Alert System In January, Rave Wireless, Inc. (no relation to the publication you are reading) a provider of safety applications for mobile users, deployed the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the Rave Guardian personal mobile alarm system to offer all students, faculty and staff a direct connection with campus police, whenever and wherever they need it. Rave Guardian (a phone-accessed application) can be armed, and when triggered, automatically sends the user's picture, mobile number and personal information to campus police. Rave Guardian works on any cell phone from any provider in the U.S., can be used with any emergency notification system, and in many cases can even display the user’s GPS location (if the phone is GPS-enabled) on a campus map for police to provide assistance more quickly. If you’re interested in a campus-wide (but personal) approach to security, check out Rave Wireless at http://www.ravewireless.com/ I saw something about this company and admittedly wondered if there was a relation; so noted — there is not! Anyway, this piece shows the need to cast the technology net far and wide before fully baking a campus wide solution.
–GB Back to Top Dukane Launches ConVA Student Response System for K-8 Grades For over 50 years, Dukane Corporation had been creating an effective means to help educators reach their students. From filmstrip projectors to digital, Dukane has always given teachers and administrators the tools necessary to improve academic achievement. With the digital age upon us, Dukane says they realized that students need an interactive stimulus to create the optimal learning environment. For this reason, Dukane created ConVA Systems, what they call the integrated source for the Connected Classroom, but, mostly, it’s a Student Response System.The ConVA Student Response System is a hand-held (ruggedized, but yellow?) formative assessment tool that was created to provide a cost-effective means for students and teachers to easily interact in the classroom setting. Students who normally remain silent in class now answer every question without fear or embarrassment. Teachers get instant feedback from the entire classroom, helping to guide their lesson plan. Everyone benefits. Too learn more about ConVA, go to: http://www.convasystems.net/student_response_system/index.shtml While not a full time educator myself, I’m (literally!) around them 24/7 which at least partially informs me on how they think. In that vein, almost anything that can help get (and keep) a “kid” actively engaged is well worth consideration.
–GB Back to Top SANYO Makes Projector Designed to Run 24/7/365 SANYO’s new PLC-XTC50L features the industry's first “Lamp Selection System,” which automatically selects one of two lamps to project from, and switches lamps based on user preference or preprogrammed settings. Management of the projection time for each lamp is dependent on the mode selected. The “Alternating Mode” allows a rotating pattern that alternates the two lamps’ use time, while the “Relay Mode” uses one lamp continuously then switches lamps when the first one is no longer usable.The XGA (1024 x 768) resolution, 3LCD-based, 5000-ANSI lumens PLC-XTC50L also utilizes an advanced optical engine technology, capable of realizing a high quality of light stability. Additionally, the use of a high-precision optical axis adjustment technology that was developed for this 2-lamp system enables the mirror to automatically select the lamp using a control motor. The system is specified to deliver a contrast ration of 1100:1 Regardless of mode, SANYO says the PLC-XTC50's lamp selection system makes approximately 6,000 hours of projection possible without lamp replacement, which is about twice as long as conventional single-lamp models. It is designed for extended-use presentations in business and education. And, in a unique maintenance addition, the PLC-XTC50L is equipped with SANYO's new Active Maintenance Filter (AMF) system, which detects air blocks or clogs, then scrolls a filter cartridge to the next clean filter – there are ten filters included in every cartridge. It lists for about $8000 and you can see all the detailed specs at: http://us.sanyo.com/Commercial-Projectors It used to be (not too long ago) 24/7 projectors were for niche applications like network operation centers. With digital signage, that is no longer the case; I’m reading this with rapt attention!
–GB To discuss this article in our forums, go here: https://www.ravepubs.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=27&func=showcat&catid=14
Back to Top Extron’s VoiceLift is Awarded rAVe’s 2009 Educational Product of the Year Every K-12 system needs this and Extron’s deployment of it is simple but powerful. The Extron wireless IR VoiceLift System is a voice amplification system specifically developed for K-12 classrooms. The VoiceLift System enables the creation of a "sound field" that allows a teacher's voice to be heard clearly throughout the classroom.Studies show that use of a sound field system results in increased student achievement and a reduction in teacher health issues related to voice-fatigue. Each system contains all the components necessary to evenly distribute the teachers’ voice throughout the classroom, including pendant microphone, IR receiver, switcher/amplifier, speakers and cables. To learn more about VoiceLift, go to: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=vls As a full time technologist (literally, having technology “visions” unpredictably all the time!), I’m constantly repeating my mantra that “audio is critical.” In that vein, almost anything that can help get (and keep) a high quality “sound field” is well worth consideration.
–GB Back to Top |