Volume 2, Issue 4 — April 29, 2016
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Editorials Editorials Editorials
- Pick-A-Part
Raymond Kent : Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group Editorials Editorials
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Tony’s Rants: Tone Down the Tech!
By Tony Sprando Commercial AV Designer
The stack of publications was piling up on the corner of my desk. I thought it was about time to read them. There were so many articles about using tech in our schools; tech to collaborate, tech to teach, tech to produce content, on and on. I had to stop and ask myself, “What did I do?” I have three sons and they all watched their dad embrace technology, day after day and night after night, behind a glowing laptop screen in a trance-like state with a perpetual perm-a-grin. As I looked at all the photos of the articles I was reading, I saw the same perm-a-grin. The man has become the machine! Pressing buttons, turning knobs, data entry and compiling zeros and ones. The generation we enabled to use the technology for learning should consider using tech in moderation. Do not forget the human factor; find the balance. The following is a short comparison of some related articles. After you have a chance to read their summaries, I’d love to read your opinions regarding the use of technology.
Telepresence Robot Puts Remote Students In the Classroom – Author Chrissy Winke shares about a Texas school district in which small rural schools were having problems ensuring access to classrooms. Whether illness, injury or some other special circumstance kept a student absent for long periods of time, the district was required by law to provide that student with an education. So, rather than the inconvenience and expense of a teacher commuting to a student’s home, the district explored the possibility of using desktops with webcams on controllable robots.
However, the robots proved to be too problematic so they opted for a more realistic version – the Kubi, a robotic stand that holds a tablet. How does it work? The Kubi stand turns from side to side or up and down to allow the remote student to look around the room. It’s sort of like a head, allowing the person FaceTiming in for a class to move in the same way they would if that student was actually present. All the student needs to participate is a computer and an Internet connection. Absentee problems solved!
What Schools Must Learn From LA’s iPad Debacle — When Los Angeles schools began handing out iPads in the fall of 2013, it looked like one of the country’s most ambitious rollouts of technology in the classroom. The city’s school district planned to spend $1.3 billion putting iPads, preloaded with the Pearson curriculum, in the hands of every student in every school. Less than two years later, the whole deal was falling apart for a variety of potential reasons including preferential treatment, shoddy platforms and incomplete curriculum. So, the big question now being asked is: If one of the country’s largest school districts, one of the world’s largest tech companies, and one of the most established brands in education can’t make it work, can anyone?
According to Michael Horn, the author of “Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools,” Los Angeles is a classic case of a school district getting caught up in the ed tech frenzy without fully thinking through why technology is important in the first place.
If you are considering implementing technology is your classrooms, the article’s author recommends you ask four key questions before moving forward:
- What will students learn?
- How will students learn?
- What resources will be needed?
- How will it work?
These are great questions for all industries, actually.
Why Taking it Slow With Technology Integration Leads to Success in the Classroom — Really, the entire brief article was fantastic so I am quoting it directly. But I included the link to the original source for your further investigation.
Every year numerous K-12 schools launch pilot programs to implement technology in their classrooms to help enhance student learning and improve academic success.
While many pilot programs have proven to be successful in schools throughout the country, there have been plenty of failures, too. About a year ago we learned the reasons behind L.A. Unified School District’s (LAUDS) failed $1.3 billion iPad initiative: not enough training, poor network security and overall insufficient planning.
LAUDS is of course not the only school district to have its pilot program fail. Numerous schools have deployed thousands of devices into its classrooms without a plan and have set themselves up for failure.
After speaking with numerous schools about their technology initiatives, both successful and unsuccessful, there is one piece of advice I have heard over and over, and that is to start slow.
Implementing large quantities of devices into every classroom is often overwhelming for teachers, students and IT managers. Providing training to teachers takes time, and when there is a large amount of teachers in need of training, the longer and more difficult the training process becomes. When school districts start small with their technology implementation, such as choosing one school or a few grades to participate in a pilot program, teachers are more easily provided adequate training, thus improving their use of technology in the classroom.
In addition to training difficulties, school districts that choose to implement large amounts of technology into numerous classrooms in a small period of time often risk losing site of the goals of the technology program. Instead, network problems, inadequate training and other issues distract schools from using technology to help enhance student learning.
Furthermore, starting slow with technology integration helps schools learn from any problems that evolve in the initial phases of the implementation, paving the way for success for any future plans to integrate new technology in classrooms
Implementing too much technology too fast can lose schools thousands, if not millions of dollars. If you’re thinking about implementing technology in your school, consider starting small. Be sure to gauge the results of the initial implementation and see what adjustments need to be made for future implementations. Perhaps most importantly, teachers need to be prepared to use the technology to help students learn better, and need support to work through both instructional and technical issues throughout the implementation.
The bottom line is integrating thousands of devices will not improve your school, preparing your teachers and students to use the new technology to enhance teaching and learning will. The easiest way to do that is to start slow.
Tony’s main takeaways:
- Clearly define your personal and professional goals before you decide to move forward with a technology roll-out.
- Partner with an industry expert to make sure your goals are realistic and within the scope of technology available.
- Keep the comfort level and ability of your colleagues, employees, and end-users at the forefront of your mind and while you are making key decisions.
- Most importantly, remember that technology is meant to enhance the human experience, not replace it.
What are your major take-aways? How will you apply the lessons others have learned?
Rant over,
Tony, the AV guy
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The Microsoft Surface Hub Has Finally Shipped — So Just Why Is This Newsworthy?
By Corey Moss rAVe Blogger
Yes my friends, after many (many) months of waiting, wanting as well as utter criticism from all corners of the industry (beginning with InfoComm 2014, comfy couches and charging stations) the Microsoft Surface Hub has shipped and it’s been reported by various media outlets.
Let’s all finally rejoice.
I recently received an e-mail from the company handling press and communications for Microsoft in relation to the shipping of the Surface Hub with this picture attached, which I’m sure we’ve all seen at least 1,000 times…
(Yes, I knew it did that).
I was notified that the Microsoft Surface Hub is a new category of device that will transform the way companies work by delivering a new kind of productivity experience made for group collaboration and how it was designed from the ground up for ink and touch, and harnesses the best collaboration and security features of Windows 10, Skype for Business, Office, OneNote and Universal Windows apps (yes I knew that too).
The e-mail also pointed to a Microsoft Devices Blog where I could get information on partner apps, case studies and overall news about the Surface Hub, as well as a (Microsoft commissioned) Forrester Consulting study The Total Economic Impact™ Of Microsoft Surface Hub* with what I deemed some very good facts and figures on the total economic impact of Surface Hub.
In this Microsoft blog Microsoft Surface Hub has begun shipping to business customers**, Brian Hall, General Manager, Microsoft Devices Marketing states:
Our Surface team is incredibly passionate about helping people be more productive. We live and breathe this mission every day.
One thing that we believe very, very deeply is that the best work is done by teams. People who get together, challenge each other, and work together can accomplish so much more than people working individually. And yet there wasn’t a device designed for teams to use together.
So we set out to change that. We set out to build technology to unlock the power of teams much better. And we got customers, partners, our software team, and our hardware team together to build a first-of-its-kind new solution, Surface Hub.
Sounds pretty standard as a statement goes, maybe even a bit bold. Hall continues:
I can tell you confidently, our Surface team works together better because we have Surface Hub. Our early Surface Hub business partners can tell you confidently that they work together better with Surface Hub. This is why we built Surface Hub. And this is why we are so proud to announce that Surface Hub has begun shipping to business customers. We are excited to see how Surface Hub will bring people together to work, create and learn in new ways.
That’s a great statement. And you say “Microsoft wrote a blog, said some wonderful things about the Surface Hub and that it’s finally shipping – so?” Me too.
But wait – now Hall gets into a new levels of innovation Surface Hub vs. legacy AV and presentation part of the story:
We are not just releasing a powerful device. We are releasing a team-empowering solution that will make meetings more productive, modernize workflows, and let people engage with data much better. We designed Surface Hub from the ground up for ink and touch, and harnessed the best collaboration and security features of Windows 10, Skype for Business, Office, OneNote and Universal Windows apps. We’ve seen how businesses and disciplines like healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, consulting, defense, finance, education, and design can bring Surface Hub into workspaces to bring a new level of innovation and efficiency to their teams. They can reduce costs and improve effectiveness, compared to legacy AV and presentation technology.
Aha! Hall has now deemed it a “team-empowering” ink and touch collaboration solution with Windows 10, Skype for Business, Office and more which can reduce costs and improve effectiveness, compared with — as he says — any legacy technology in the AV/presentation technology realm.
Just what is Mr. Hall’s definition of legacy AV and presentation technology though? There are certainly some damn good manufacturers of AV technologies in the collaboration and presentation space. OK granted, for those who think a SMART Board is a viable productivity solution for the enterprise – I gave up on that thought while I was still in integration sales (and that was about six years ago). The dedicated Skype for Business Room Collaboration System from Polycom in tandem with Crestron though I do consider that a viable solution with top notch display, camera and control technology, however the fact that the all-in-one full collaboration efficiency Surface Hub fits well in huddle spaces, small, medium and large conference rooms can’t be ignored here – but I do still want that definition.
So are we sold on this all-in-one Microsoft-defined team-empowering solution for communications and collaboration now that it has finally shipped?
Well OK, yes, we know that one of the more notable features of the Surface Hub is its built-in Skype for Business client which makes it easy to join face-to-face video meetings with other Surface Hub and Skype for Business users. However do take note that to host a Skype meeting which also incorporates standards-based videoconferencing users (such as those using solutions from Cisco or Polycom) it does require an interoperability platform, such as Pexip Infinity.
Here Graham Walsh demonstrates the Pexip Infinity interoperability platform at ISE in a video.
Still with all of this certain people in the industry may for the most part still look at the Surface Hub as just an expensive SMART Board replacement in a meeting room (really?) — to which I say it is indeed much more…
Brian Hall mentioned certain businesses and disciplines like manufacturing, finance, defense and healthcare (to name a few) in the blog bringing Surface Hub into their workspaces. Hall points to how Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will be using a Qwaltec developed application on Surface Hub as a command-and-control center for doctors and medical staff, to manage scheduling and replace outdated whiteboards. The hospital specified it as a “game changer” (their words) not only because it will help the hospital save time and money, but also because Surface Hub helps connect the entire care team to their patients with up-to-date information.
On the partner side of the equation, Linda Civitillo, VP Unified Communication & Collaboration Solutions and Microsoft Surface Hub Practice Leader at AVI-SPL (who we recently had on our AV Power Up! podcast discussing the Surface Hub) talked about the Surface Hub in terms of customer feedback as well as personal-use perspective:
“The majority of time that we’ve had the Surface Hub we have deployed it for customer demos. We have received a lot of feedback from Enterprise customers about the Surface Hub. They are excited to be able to bring it into their environments for particular use cases so that they can work on projects together – ‘shoulder to shoulder.’”
“From a personal-use perspective, I can say that in the time we’ve had it, the easy adoption and comfort in using the Microsoft Surface Hub has delivered a more collaborative and productive experience for our teams.”
There are of course a plethora of Surface Hub partners across the world and I will be talking with more of them about their own experiences with the device as well as client instances in upcoming blogs and podcasts.
So here’s where Brian Hall and I agree – the Surface Hub is a powerhouse all-in-one machine that can fit the computing/collaboration technology needs of any enterprise or SMB organization, as well as give the flexibility to fit into the large-scale plans of any discipline or business which the Forrester study explains fairly thoroughly.
However, I have to point out the fact that there is still a grand purpose for a well-engineered room system to suit a customer’s technology needs where the Surface Hub would not fit every scenario (even if it employs Skype for Business), so let’s not look too deeply into any all-in-one as ultimate solution market plan. Numerous manufacturers in the industry have certainly continued to progress as AV technology market innovators where you can never replace these system components or cloud and software applications with an all-in-one.
Now the big question — with the Surface Hub shipping has Microsoft now officially joined the ranks of the AV industry and left the memories of couches, charging stations and soccer in the rear view?
The real story as well as answers to certain questions being asked by people inside the industry (some have asked about the full operational efficacy of an all-in-one system vs. an installed room system) as well as outside will be provided by the partners and their clients in the coming months — and this is where we will see this as even more newsworthy than the latest and greatest Microsoft device being shipped to those ever-patient customers.
Watch for the follow-ups here — finally…
* Forrester Consulting Study: The Total Economic Impact™ Of Microsoft Surface Hub
** MIcrosoft Device blog: Microsoft Surface Hub has begun shipping to business customers
The rAVe Radio AV Power Up! episode with Linda Civitillo as our guest can be found here. Leave a Comment
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Pick-A-Part
By Raymond Kent Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group
So a number of the news blurbs I came across related to this year’s Earth Day surrounded the growing scourge of e-waste. A main example was cell phones and how often people are changing out their devices to get the newest features or because of the inefficiencies of their older device.
A typical cell phone has a life span of 18-24 months for several physical reasons beyond the craving for the latest gadget. The battery life seems to be decreasing not increasing as operating systems and feature sets demand more juice to power. I see evidence in this through the rise of portable power packs located at what seems like every retail store cash wrap and the race to find a charging station or wall plug at airports, restaurants, coffee shops and shopping mall food courts. As a phone ages the ultra fine wire traces in the circuit boards deteriorates causing inefficiencies in power usage. Additionally the processor often can’t handle the speeds required to operate a new operating system causing buffering, delays, crashes, etc. Screen resolution, camera mega pixel density and other attributes often can become inefficient of non-functioning. As I have written in previous articles about planned obsolescence, much of this is be intentional design by manufacturers to keep profits rolling in while other causes are the abuse we put our devices through.
What happens to these devices depends on your habits. They usually (if you are like many) toss them in a drawer to either be forgotten about or until you have a large enough batch of electronics that you can responsibly recycle them (*cough*). Some retailers will take your old cell phone on the spot to be re-purposed (resold to developing countries) or recycled. Lastly, some keep their devices and strip away all of the apps and reuse them as Wi-Fi enabled security cameras, baby monitors or even as a “toy” phone for their young kids.
But what if you like your cell phone and don’t want to give it up or the thought of contributing to the e-waste scourge makes you break out in hives? There are two routes really. One is to never update your operating system from the original one, keep your apps download habit to a minimum, and religiously unplug your phone as soon as it hits a full charge to minimize overcharging or over heating the battery reducing its life (and locate a good source of replacements on eBay). I have actually done this with an old Windows phone with good success of going on five years with it but with a non-replaceable battery it is seeing its last days.
The second route is a challenge being taken on by Google and others in creating a new phone with interchangeable parts. Don’t like or want to upgrade your camera? Swap out a new camera module. Need a new processor to handle the latest Android OS? Swap out a new chip module. Crack your screen or want better resolution? Replace it with a new screen module. Called Project Ara, it is Google’s attempt to address several of the issues related to what other manufacturers seem to want to ignore. It also helps Google who is a giant in green manufacturing stay true to a core value of being environmentally friendly. This will in their mind help to lower the cost of cell phones as you will be buying separate components to upgrade rather than a whole device and help to reduce the e-waste stream by reducing the amount of obsolete devices.
So let’s leap to the Pro AV world. There are some manufacturers who have realized that in order to keep a presence in a consumer’s mind they need to be nimble and offer products that can be upgraded quickly, efficiently, and without a lot of cost. By offering a component level replacement, end users can gain the benefit of the latest feature set without much upfront cost or having to depart with a working system they like. A good example of this is Christie Digital has a line of projectors (Boxer 2K Series) that allow you to swap out components to say a 4K module at a later date if you are not ready for 4K yet without having to replace a projector you rely on or even increase the brightness. This not only provides immediate benefit to the end user but works to reduce that product stream obsolescence keeping out of e-waste. This works to support Christie’s deep commitment to sustainability and can help build and maintain brand loyalty.
Samsung had another good example of this back in 2012 when they released an upgradable consumer TV (Samsung ES8000) at CES that provided an expansion slot to allow new hardware and features to be included as well as having the ability to upgrade firmware. This allowed consumers who buy way more TVs than in pro installs to have the ability to upgrade without having to throw out a large, expensive piece of equipment. Certainly we have seen some of this as well with Crestron and AMX in the matrix switchers being able to upgrade the processor to handle 4K and add some features.
Hopefully the future bodes well for more products to be able to be upgraded without having to be tossed out or recycled entirely. This would potentially go a long way towards reducing the volume of discarded electronics that is generated each year (54 million tons in 2015). Leave a Comment
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Samsung D’light
By Scott Tiner rAVe Columnist
In March, I had the unique opportunity to visit Samsung Worldwide headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. An interesting note is that the headquarters are in the Gangnam neighborhood of Seoul. So, along with being able to visit the headquarters, I also was able to do the horse dance in Gangnam. For those tech geeks out there like me, I need to tell a little bit about getting into Samsung. We were required to sign non-disclosure forms for anything we saw (even though we were not going to see anything secret), we had to give up our phones when we were in the headquarters along with any devices (such as USB sticks) that could be used to transfer information. Finally, we were required to wear small pins that said visitor on them. These pins carried RFID tags that allowed us to enter through the security turnstiles. Our host also indicated that they allowed security to know where we were in the building. I was impressed with the tech before I even saw any!
For most of the readers of this column the most relevant part of this experience was the visit to the D’light experience center. This is where Samsung exhibits all of their new and upcoming technologies. It is an interesting opportunity to see and experience all the things you have heard are on their way, but have not seen yet (like a internet connected, remote vacuum cleaner).
At the D’light center there were several examples of the uses of digital signage. One of the most interesting for me was the digital signage for fast food style restaurants. I have included some pictures to help put into context what I am writing. The demo had a traditional menu based digital signage behind the counter. This is something that we experience all the time at fast food restaurants like Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s, even here in the US. However, they were also demonstrating order terminals, unlike ones that I have seen in the U.S. These were large 17-20” touch displays. You could “build” your own sandwich on the display, and order directly from it. Along with seeing what your food would like, you were also given all the nutrition information for the sandwich. Finally, you could pay for the order right there at the terminal with your Droid using Samsung Pay. Hmm… wonder if they also offer Apple Pay?
Whenever I see technology like this I tend to sit back and think about how this offers value for the customer and the retailer. For the retailer, the value is very clear. Invest in the technology, and if it works properly you can eliminate hourly pay for the regular cashiers who are taking orders. While the technology is very cool and I want to play with it, the real question is what about all the other customers? What does this technology provide that adds value for the customer? I think there are a couple of answers to this question and the retailer can add value to the customer beyond the technology. One solution for this would be for the retailer to take a percentage off the final bill if the customers choose to use the self order system. We know the retailer is saving a lot of money, so why not pass some of this on to the customer? Another solution is to drive the concept to the customer that they are likely to have a more accurate order if they process it themselves. No longer would you have to deal with a kid who had onions on his hamburg when you thought you ordered none. Rather, you could only blame that one on yourself. The second major value add would be the ability to see nutritional information. Being able to make food decisions (such as what dressing you want on your sandwich) based on the calories and fat, is something many customers may be very interested in.
Restaurants (both fast food and sit-down) continue to be an ideal location for digital signage, provided we are adding value for the customer. However, there were several other examples of digital signage in the D’light center that I will be able to write about in the next column. In the meantime, what do you think of the digital signage opportunities for restaurants? Do the technologies I wrote about add value for you? Would you choose to use a self order, or would you still go to a register operated by a person? Leave a Comment
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Can AV and IoT Be the New Convergence?
By Corey Moss rAVe Blogger
For the longest time (12-15 years?) we have been talking AV/IT convergence. Some will even refer to it as IT/AV. Why? Well, if I was to surmise I’d say that those who are may still be trying to bring validation to this concept, the merger of IT and AV where now AV takes the second player approach to IT’s dominant player. For some time now I have reasoned that the convergence is not necessarily an even merger of the technology realms, for me it should represent more of a confluence. In my mind, there hasn’t been created a fully measured industry approach to the acronym, however where AV and IT are concerned, yes they can both exist as joined entities (as in AV and IT), but not necessarily converged as AV/IT. More to come on that in my next con·ver·gence (Part 4) blog.
A new convergence begins…?
On to the topic here. As we know the AV industry for some time now has been all abuzz about the Internet of Things. Earlier this year I wrote a blog AV -Is- Making the Comeback With IT (and IoT) where as you can see I put the Internet of Things in parentheses since for me at that time IoT was still in an exploratory phase of sorts. As most of my blog was devoted to the notion of AV and IT being a with instead of a merger converged proposition (OK maybe that’s a bit deep), the end focused on IoT and its place in the realm of AV.
The IoT keynote at InfoComm 2015 while it may not have provided many answers per se, it did open a door to future discussion and development of the notion that AV and IoT can exist as joined entities. Certain discussions at the keynote may have led to that (drones not so much at the time but keep an open mind to that as we go), however most created a wait and see and wonder thought for those that attended. I had mostly focused on Crestron CTO Fred Bargetzi’s contributions to the keynote discussion (Cisco’s Mike Walker for the security comments), and stated in the blog that I believed IoT becomes the “branch-out,” in essence the technology “extension” to AV, as IT exists as the technology “build.”
In fact we can even consider IT as AV build-out, but hold on to that thought for another blog.
Digital Signage as the door opener
I had also mentioned in this blog industry integrator Advanced AV and a blog they had recently published Digital Signage Meets the Internet of Things, discussing how IoT as many know has the potential to change every area of communication and information sharing where it’s stated that digital signage is no exception.
In July 2015, almost a month after the keynote, an article appeared in Digital Signage Today Digital signage leading the way for retail IoT where as we’d likely figure this to be the market IoT would be most tied to with AV, at least to begin with. Focusing on Cisco’s coined Internet of Everything (IoE), the article states that IoE has changed the retail landscape when it comes to the customer experience. As alluded to in the article, one of the principal endpoint solutions being utilized across that market landscape is digital signage. With this the number of endpoint solutions available combined with the IoE can help retailers make more informed decisions to tailor the customer experience. presenting a strong customer-facing tool in a retailer’s arsenal, given that t can be tailored in real-time to maximize profits.
It was specified that the use of digital signage in retail outlets, according to the International Data Corp., will grow from to $27.5 billion in 2018 for a 35.7 percent five-year CAGR, showing the increasing importance placed on digital signage and the growing interactive capabilities that this technology presents.
In a white paper (also from July of last year) provided by ComQi titled How the Internet of Things is Reinventing Retail, a section Applying IoT In Retail states that consumer demand for convenience, product availability, and both personalized and contextualized interactions will drive retailers to continue to adopt multiple IoT technologies in the years to come.
A statement: Driven by live data devices and systems, an “aware” store can deliver smarter messaging on screens of any size. Instead of canned, pre-determined messaging, smart screens in an aware retail environment are providing shoppers deeper information about what they’re looking at, and influencing buying decisions, including up-sells.
The article goes on to talk about how Hollywood sometimes suggests dystopian futures where retailers and brands obliterate privacy and market to individuals even inside a store and discussion of IoT can certainly elevate such concerns in numerous ways, however more than concern (of which security is one) I see a whole new world of opportunity opening through digital signage and IoT. However with any discussion of IoT, security needs to be part of such discussion as well.
2016 will see new breakthroughs
According to IBM Center for Applied Insights IoT in Retail (December 2015), the following is stated which I consider to be information to be leveraged for converged AV and IoT implementation:
Leading retailers are already developing strategies and plans to leverage IoT-related technologies.
- Nearly 96 percent of retail decision makers say they are ready to make the changes required to adopt the IoT.
- Global spending on retail IoT initiatives is expected to grow from $14.3 billion in 2015 to $35 billion by 2020.
- Eighty percent of retail decision makers believe IoT technologies will drastically change the way companies do business in the next three years.
- More than 70 percent of retailers have already implemented at least one sensor-based project and are actively exploring additional IoT-related projects.
- According to surveyed retailers, maintaining inventory accuracy in stores is the top IoT opportunity in retail.
- Most retail associates (80 percent) agree that improving in-store communication among staff and managers would have a significant effect on shopper satisfaction.
- Digital signage use in retail outlets will grow from $6.0 billion in 2013 to $27.5 billion in 2018, as retailers continue to digitize the consumer experience.
(Note: check the article for bullet point links).
Along with this we discuss the data collected for analysis, which allows retailers to create a single view of each customer, find patterns and deliver a more relevant shopping experience in real time – again providing an instance for IoT relating to communications and digital signage.
Most recently at ISE2016, Graeme Harrison, Executive Vice President at Biamp Systems presented on the topic Why Should AV Care About IoT – the description:
Graeme Harrison, Biamp’s executive vice president of marketing, will discuss how the Internet of Things (IoT) is permeating every level of service and technologies. Attendees will learn more about the possibilities IoT offers and how IEEE open standards such as AVB/TSN are fueling more ideas, encouraging a significant growth in the adoption of these standards, and solidifying them as the standard of choice for many industries.
And upcoming: IoT Insights — Santa Clara, CA May 9th 9:00 am – 3:30 pm EST (Marriott Santa Clara
2700 Mission College Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA)
The Internet of Things: It’s a hot buzzword, and an undeniable technology trend. But is it relevant to the commercial AV industry? Absolutely. This conference will put IoT in context for AV professionals, focusing on the potential opportunities in this new space. Join the foremost IoT players in the AV industry to explore:
- Why IoT should be of concern to the commercial audiovisual industry
- The impact of digitization
- What AV professionals need to know to prepare for our connected society
You’ll learn to leverage the knowledge and skills you already have as an AV professional to seize your share of what’s forecast to be a $19 trillion market over the next 10 years — and forge connections with the partners you’ll need to succeed.
More to come on the prospects of this convergence which will include information resulting from this conference, as well as further details about IoT at InfoComm 2016.
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AtlasIED Ships New DPA Series DSP Power AmplifiersThe new AtlasIED Series DPA series of amplifiers are network-ready DSP power amplifiers designed for both 70/100V and 8/4 ohm systems. Available in three models: the 600-watts DPA602, the 1200-watt DPA1202 and the 2400-watt DPA2402, all three incorporate on-board DSP and the graphical user interface (GUI) is embedded into the amplifier. You can configure and operate the amplifier using any standard web browser and does not require a standalone application.
To expand even further on the flexibility of the DPA Series, an expansion slot enables two card options. The DPA-DAC4 card provides four Dante digital audio inputs. The DPA-AMIX card provides 4 more analog input channels. Both increase the inputs from four to eight channels.
Features:
- Configurable for use as two-channel 70.7V amplifier
- Configurable for use as four-channel 4Ω amplifier
- Configurable for use as single channel 70.7V and two-channel 4Ω amplifier
- Networkable with on-board GUI
- Configurable DSP via GUI
- Site manager software with network auto-discovery fault reporting, input and output status, standby
- Status and remote activation via a scheduler timer
- User page with assignable input and output level control
- Mute assignments triggered via audio signal or contact closure
- Audio sense turn-on/off
- Four balanced inputs
- Optional accessory card slot for four-channel Dante receiver card or two mic / line, two aux input card
Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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JBL Lauches New Control 65P/T Pendant SpeakerJBL Professional by HARMAN today introduced the JBL Control 64P/T. The JBL Control 64P/T is designed as an affordable full-range pendant loudspeaker in the JBL Control Contractor Series and features a 30-watt transformer, so it can be operated at 8 ohms or used on either 70V or 100V distributed lines. This expansion of the pendant line is especially advantageous to integrators operating in the retail and hospitality markets — applications for which this loudspeaker is specifically designed.
The JBL Control 64 P/T features a frequency response of 65 Hz – 15 kHz and provides 120 degrees of coverage. The loudspeaker’s driver is a 4-inch (100mm) full-range driver with a polypropylene-coated cone for durability and a 0.8 inch (20mm) high-temperature voice coil for high power handling and long-term reliability. Consistent with other models in the JBL Control Series pendant loudspeaker line, the JBL 64P/T includes suspension hardware with a 15-foot (4.5m) galvanized steel cable and adjustable clamp.
The contemporary design of the 64P/T loudspeaker is designed for us in retail, restaurants, hotels, casinos, fitness centers, convention centers, exhibit spaces, conference rooms, atriums, museums, transit centers and other open-ceiling applications. Since the design is consistent with the other pendant models in the range, it can be seamlessly deployed in an installation that requires multiple models.
The JBL Control 64 P/T is available immediately in white and black finish options. Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Crestron Intros Fusion Cloud and Accompanying PinPoint AppIf you’re using Crestron’s new Fusion Cloud Platform, or the on-premise version of this enterprise management platform, then you can use the company’s new PinPoint App — a personal, mobile scheduling app that lets employees take control of every aspect of their meetings, including scheduling, setup, execution and completion. Crestron says the app acts like a personal assistant: With an awareness of an employee’s location, it identifies nearby meeting rooms with the applicable technology and devices to meet the need of the meeting they have scheduled.
Embedded with something Crestron is calling “advanced room search capability” the app finds a room and then, once the meeting starts, can share content from their smartphones or tablets.
Crestron Fusion Cloud Platform provides real-time visibility into enterprises’ meeting spaces and building technology around the globe, down to the individual room and device levels. Crestron Fusion Cloud is designed for enterprises to fully optimize their rooms and technology by allowing a company to monitor all their sites from a centralized location without the need for additional IT infrastructure.
PinPoint is only available to companies that have Crestron Fusion Cloud or the on-premise version of this enterprise management platform. You can learn about PinPoint here and learn about Fusion Cloud here. Leave a Comment
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wePresent Announces Wireless Presentation System Aimed Exclusively at Education MarketwePresent has announced an expansion to its line of wireless presentation systems, adding the WiPG-1600 aimed at education installs. We actually gave this product an ISE Best New Product for Higher Education Award earlier this year.
The WiPG-1600 wireless presentation hardware provides a solution for those who require the basic functionality of the wePresent, but don’t require some of the more advanced solutions that the flagship WiPG-2000 offers, such as whiteboard and annotation abilities, on-board video streaming or USB document and media viewing. Many schools and offices have already implemented collaborative technology, such as SMART Board displays, yet are missing the crucial piece of wireless presentation technology. Sensing the need for a more intermediate step, wePresent released the award-winning wireless hardware with more features than the model it replaces, but at a more moderate price point.
You can see all the specs here. Leave a Comment
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Visix Releases AxisTV 9.4 Visix has released version 9.4 of its AxisTV enterprise digital signage software. This latest release has important feature enhancements including a brand new user interface design, support for VLC players and RTSP streams and improved scheduling features.
AxisTV v.9.4 introduces a brand new UI design with modern colors and imagery, while retaining favorite features and optimizing workflows for a better user experience.
Feature enhancements in AxisTV v.9.4 include:
- New user interface design
- Support for VLC Player and RTSP streams
- Improvements to the system dashboard
- Better alert notification features and scheduling tools
- Enhanced template performance
- Miscellaneous bug fixes
Software updates are free to all Visix clients with a software maintenance agreement. For detailed information about the release, go here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships CCI Pro 700 Conference Room Control Interface Extron is shipping the CCI Pro 700, the industry’s first control system user interface optimized for conferencing, collaboration and AV control. The CCI Pro 700 is designed to support the functions needed in a conferencing environment, while providing an intuitive room control user interface that includes a 3.5” color display, a numeric keypad and backlit buttons. The information display can be used to show contact information, call directories and call status. Buttons directly below the display can be used to navigate custom lists and menus.
The CCI Pro 700 also offers the convenience of Extron System Templates. These free, professionally-designed audio conferencing templates provide a starting point for configuration with downloadable GC Plus files that include GUI layouts and sample system logic.
The CCI Pro 700 is configured using Extron Global Configurator Plus or Global Configurator Professional and GUI Designer software and works in conjunction with any Extron IP Link Pro control processor. It operates using standard network infrastructure and is easy to install with reliable and cost effective Ethernet cable.
Here are the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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Canon Debuts New Laser Projector and Lens Line Canon has introduced the LX-MU800Z, the company’s first single-chip DLP Projector with a Laser-Phosphor light source spec’d at 20,000 hours of operation to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO). Additional key features on the LX-MU800Z projector include native WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution, a spec of up-to-8000 lumens, a dynamic contrast ratio up to 10,500:1, and seven interchangeable lens options with motorized lens shift for installation flexibility.
Like every laser projector in the market, the LX-MU800Z Laser DLP Projector can be rotated 360 degrees at any angle on the vertical axis, and can also be used to project in portrait applications. The LX-MU800Z projector also offers seven interchangeable lens options. Additionally, the projector’s lens memory function can be used to store up to eight different custom lens positions, each including lens shift, zoom and focal length.
Lens Options:
- Ultra Wide Zoom LX-IL01UW 0.75 – 0.93:1
- Wide Zoom LX-IL02WZ 1.25 – 1.79:1
- Standard Zoom LX-IL03ST 1.73 – 2.27:1
- Middle Zoom LX-IL04MZ 2.22 – 3.67:1
- Long Zoom LX-IL05LZ 3.58 – 5.38:1
- Ultra Long Zoom LX-IL06UL 5.31 – 8.26:1
- Short Fixed Zoom LX-IL07WF 0.76:1
The LX-MU800Z’s inputs include 3G-SDI, HDMI, DVI-D and a built-in HDBaseT receiver allowing uncompressed HD video, audio and control signals to be transmitted over a single LAN cable with a maximum distance up to 328 feet (100m).
The new Canon LX-MU800Z Laser DLP Projector will list for $17,969 and here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Canon Announces New Short Throw LCoS Projectors Canon introduced the REALiS WUX450ST Pro AV LCoS Projector. The newest short throw projector in Canon’s non-interchangeable lens product line, the REALiS WUX450ST has a native WUXGA resolution (1920×1200), is spec’d at 4500 lumens of brightness and uses Canon’s LCoS technology with AISYS-enhancement — all in a compact size (only 13.9 pounds). The REALiS WUX450ST projector’s 1.35x optical zoom, short throw ratio of 0.56:1 and 0 to 75 percent vertical lens shift and it has HDBaseT integrated as an input.
For those in the medical education and training fields, the REALiS WUX450ST D Pro AV Installation LCoS Projector is available with all of the same features of the REALiS WUX450ST, plus a special DICOM Simulation Mode for displaying monochrome digital X-rays, CAT scans, and MRIs with superb grayscale gradation. This unique mode, which offers both clear and blue base color temperature presets, simulates the results of devices compliant with the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Part 14 standard. This mode can also be utilized in other specialized applications like black and white photography where an expanded range of gamma adjustment is required.
The Canon REALiS WUX450ST projector lists for $7,329. The Canon REALiS WUX450ST D projector has a suggested list price of $7,959 and both are currently scheduled to ship by April 2016. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Sony Adds HDR to Its 4K VPL-VW365ES Projector Sony Electronics announced today that it is bringing HDR capability to its 4K VPL-VW365ES home theater projector in May, and that current owners will be able to add the feature with a firmware update. Introduced at CEDIA 2015, the VPL-VW365ES is the third Sony home cinema projector, after the VPL-VW5000ES and VPL-VW665ES, to support the 4K HDR format.
Sony says that HDR video content delivers exceptional detail, color and contrast, with a far wider range of luminescence than other video formats. They claim the result is the most lifelike picture projectors have ever been able to create, with brilliant highlights and fine detail. Home cinema enthusiasts will now have the opportunity to experience total immersion through the imagery displayed from their VPL-VW365ES projector. HDR imagery is the closest representation of the reality our eyes see every day, with greater detail, wide contrast ratio, increased color volume, brighter highlights and deeper blacks.
The VPL-VW365ES uses advanced SXRD panels for a native 4K picture, with no artificial manipulation of pixels so that over 26 million pixels are displayed with each refresh cycle. Rich and accurate color reproduction is ensured by Sony’s proprietary TRILUMINOS engine design, while Motionflow picture technology serves to deliver clearer, less blurry images when watching fast-paced, cinematic or sports action.
The VPL-VW365ES allows users to enjoy the latest 4K and HDR content services using the latest HDMI standard and HDCP 2.2. A built-in RF 3D transmitter provides interface to industry-standard 3D glasses with a strong wireless signal for wider coverage and uninterrupted 3D synchronization stability. Professional calibration features allow operators to expertly adjust the picture to suit the viewers’ tastes. These color correction tools allow access to adjust the hue, saturation, and brightness of each color and the color space for red, green, blue respectively, to their desired level.
The VPL-VW365ES home theater projector was introduced at CEDIA 2015 at a suggested retail price of $9,999.99. All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Hitachi Introduces First Solid-State DLP Laser Projector Hitachi America introduced the LP-WU9750B model, their first solid-state laser projector. The single-chip DLP-based WUXGA 1920×1200 resolution projectors aimed at large auditoriums, conference rooms, museums and concert or stage productions as it claims to have 8,000 ANSI lumens light output and a 20,000:1 contrast ratio. Like all other solid-state projectors on the market, the engine is protected with an air-tight, dust-resistant seal that minimizes the number of dust particles that enter the engine that could eventually lead to decreased brightness. This design gives the projector resistance against the effects of dust and allows the projector to be used in a large variety of environments.
This model also comes with five inputs including HDBaseT, two HDMI, DVI-D and 3G SDI. Seven optional lenses are available; compatible with Hitachi’s 9000 series allowing for projection distance ranging from 33-749 inches, some installations may vary. The LP-WU9750B is compatible with the Crestron Integrated Partner program and the AMX Device Discovery protocol, to help with control programming and it also supports web control and PJLink.
Complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Altinex Debuts Anywire TP315-101 and TP315-102 Transmitter/Receiver System That Sends 1080p Over Speaker Wire Altinex just launched the Anywire TP315-101 and TP315-102 Transmitter / Receiver System designed for sending 1080p/60 Hz HDMI signal over any type of copper wire, including speaker wire, low voltage wires, any type of CAT wires, coaxial wires and more. Anywire facilitates the transmission of live video and computer video signals with synchronized audio over long distances, even without the presence of Cat6 cable.
The TP315-101 HDMI over Anywire transmitter facilitates the transmission of 1080p HDMI signals up to 600 feet using a simple two-conductor cable. The TP315-102 HDMI over Anywire receiver allows the receipt of the same signal. A single TP315-101 transmitter is capable of driving up to four TP315-102 receivers using either four individual wire pairs over 600 feet each, or by daisy chaining the receivers.
The Altinex TP315-101 transmitter and TP315-102 receiver are designed to create an economical solution for many audiovisual installations. Integrators need only to route the wires, cut and trim the installation and connect to the terminals. The unique design of the Anywire video transmission system provides stable video over greater distances than other designs. IR pass-through for receiver side to transmitter side control is provided without corrupting the HDMI signal during transmission of IR signals. Operation does not require any user control or interaction. Simply connect the Anywire input and when the transmitter detects the receiver, the receiver begins video transmission to the display.
Both the transmitter and receiver list for $375 each. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Peerless-AV Adds SmartMount for Microsoft Surface Hub Peerless-AV has announced its SmartMount line of mobile carts and flat, tilt and articulating wall mounts for the Microsoft Surface Hub.
For mobile solutions in corporate applications, hospitality events, and education settings, Peerless-AV’s stylish SmartMount Flat Panel Cart (SR598-HUB) was designed to securely mount the 55″ and 84″ versions of the Microsoft Surface Hub at Microsoft’s recommended display positioning height of 55″. The cart is UL rated up to 300 lbs. and offers vertical adjustment so the display can be positioned at any height up to 60″ from the floor, if needed. The large rolling casters provide a smooth way to move the displays from one location to the next while the locking feature offers a stable foundation for use in touch applications. The integrated cable management channels ensure a quick, simple, and aesthetically pleasing way to hide cables, completing the overall appearance and look of the cart as the perfect solution for the Microsoft Surface Hub in any environment.
Corner bumpers are provided on the base of the cart to protect doorways and walls from unintentional damage while moving the cart and if desired, an optional keyboard tray can be located on either column under the display. The SR598-HUB is the ideal mobile solution specially designed for the Microsoft Surface Hub.
For more permanent applications, Peerless-AV’s SmartMount line features a variety of wall mounts ideal for increasing the functionality of the Microsoft Surface Hub. The SmartMount Universal Flat Wall Mounts (SF650 & SF680-HUB) offer versatile installation features and mounting options for the 55″ and 84″ models. Horizontal and vertical adjustment abilities allow for post-installation leveling while a low-profile design offers a sleek look to fit into any décor. Security screws deter tampering and theft and an open wall plate design offers total wall access, increasing electrical and cable management options. A Hook-and-Hang system and Easy-Glide adaptors allow for a seamless installation that is easily managed.
With the SmartMount Articulating Wall Arm Mount (SA771PU), users can extend the 55″ Microsoft Surface Hub up to 26.60″ or fully retract it to just 3.10″ as well as vertically tilt it +15°/-5°,making it easier than ever to find the perfect viewing position for each and every use. The Articulating Wall Arm Mount’s I-Shaped Adaptor plate ensures accessibility to the back of the Microsoft Surface Hub and integrated cable management offers a clean installation.
The SmartMount Universal Tilt Wall Mount (ST650) series for the 55″ Microsoft Surface Hub also offers great adaptability, featuring IncreLok tilt technology to lock the tilt angle at installation to prevent tampering or moving. The ST650 features post installation adjustments, security screws, an open wall plate design, Easy-Glide adaptors that hook onto the wall plate, and more, all ensuring a perfect Microsoft Hub installation with an ideal user interface. Like the Flat and Articulating Wall Mounts, the ST650 ensures a quick, simple, and secure single-person installation.
You can check it out here. Leave a Comment
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Chief Ships Solutions for Mounting Surface HubChief is now shipping a custom heavy duty flat panel mount designed for the Microsoft 84” Surface Hub on walls. Chief already manufactures several mounts that can accommodate the 55” Surface Hub.
The PSMH2079 is a wall display mount option designed to quickly install the 84” Surface Hub. Key features include:
- +1.6° plum adjustment
- 3” (76 mm) lateral shift
- Q-Latch mounting system
- Low profile of 2.51” (64 mm)
For the 55” Surface Hub, Chief has the Fusion XSM1U wall mount, which comes with installer-friendly Fusion features:
- Centerless shift for post-installation lateral shift
- ClickConnect offers an audible click when the screen safely engages
- ControlZone post-installation micro-height and leveling adjustment
- Tool-free latching flags for additional padlock security
For mobile applications, the Fusion XPAU cart works with the 55” Microsoft Surface Hub. The cart’s sleek aesthetics are suitable for multiple environments. A turn knob adjusts the height from 48-65” (1.2-1.7 m). The cart also includes internal storage for rack mountable and non-rack mountable components. Tool free latching flags add padlock security.
A Fusion XVM1U cart will be available in Q2 for the 84” Surface Hub. Get more information here. Leave a Comment
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Genelec Offers 8430A Audio-over-IP SAM Studio MonitorGenelec has debuted the 8430A SAM Studio Monitor, enabling direct monitoring of audio-over-IP stream content – the first studio monitor on the market supporting AES67 and RAVENNA standards, according to Genelec. AES67 is now fast gaining acceptance as an industry standard and is rapidly establishing audio-over-IP in the mainstream.
As a member in the Genelec Smart Active Monitoring (SAM) Series, the 8430 shares the electro-acoustic features such as Genelec MDE and DCW technologies, a flow-optimized reflex port, very low distortion, high SPL and wide bandwidth, uncolored response in a very compact enclosure. Also, as member of the SAM Series, the 8430 uses the highly intuitive Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM 2.0) control network and software allowing adjustments of all aspects of monitor settings and full multi-loudspeaker system control. As a central part of GLM, Genelec AutoCal automatically ensures that every monitor on the network is aligned for level and timing, as well as being compensated for room response anomalies. The 8430 combines exceptional connectivity; first, for the industry standard AES67 Ethernet audio-over-IP signal via an XLR-housed RJ45 connector, and second, a standard balanced analog signal input via a standard XLR connector input. The 8430 Ethernet audio streaming capability supports the standard audio sample rates up to 96 kHz high resolution format. With its Genelec proprietary Class D amplifier technology, universal mains voltage input and the very high reliability, and support for high accuracy IEEE 1522 version 2 precision time protocol based audio clock synchronization, the 8430 fulfills all the stringent quality requirements of modern audio-over-IP streaming applications.
Details are here. Leave a Comment
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Christie Allure Announces Packaged VideoWall SystemsAllure “out of the box” Video Wall (by Christie) packages designed to make implementation easier, quicker and more cost effective, all while offering a choice of top quality displays, warranties and installation services.
Packages start at four displays and include as many as 25 displays designed to transform high traffic areas such as retail spaces, lobbies and stadium concourses into highly engaging destinations that increase audience dwell time and drive revenues. Driven by the powerful Allure Content Management System (CMS) software, high impact messages can be remotely distributed, scheduled and delivered to guests. Increasingly being installed in many retail environments including movie theaters and cultural attractions, these digital destination points attract consumers and immediately turn unused or underutilized wall spaces into revenue generators.
Delivered and installed by Allure project management and installation services, these new video wall packages are pretested and feature dynamic content produced by its award-winning creative services team. They include all hardware components and everything needed for a successful and long-life deployment. Allure has installed video walls in major venues that include stadiums and arenas, convention centers, theater circuits and more, as retailers are increasingly targeting a new generation of tech-savvy consumers with more dynamic, experiential signage solutions that connect brands and products at points of influence.
Details are here. Leave a Comment
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USB 3.0 Promoter Group Updates USB Type-C to Solve Bad Charges and MalwareThe USB 3.0 Promoter Group today announced the USB Type-C Authentication specification, defining cryptographic-based authentication for USB Type-C chargers and devices. Using this protocol, host systems can confirm the authenticity of a USB device or USB charger, including such product aspects as the descriptors/capabilities and certification status. All of this happens right at the moment a wired connection is made — before inappropriate power or data can be transferred. This new authentication is the result of the discovery that users can very easily and quickly fry their devices when using a bad USB-C cable, in addition to other cybersecurity issues.
USB Type-C Authentication allows host systems to protect against non-compliant USB chargers and to mitigate risks from maliciously embedded hardware or software in USB devices attempting to exploit a USB connection. For a traveler concerned about charging their phone at a public terminal, their phone can implement a policy only allowing charge from certified USB chargers. A company, tasked with protecting corporate assets, can set a policy in its PCs granting access only to verified USB storage devices.
Key characteristics of the USB Type-C Authentication solution include:
- A standard protocol for authenticating certified USB Type-C Chargers, devices, cables and power sources
- Support for authenticating over either USB data bus or USB Power Delivery communications channels
- Products that use the authentication protocol retain control over the security policies to be implemented and enforced
- Relies on 128-bit security for all cryptographic methods
- Specification references existing internationally-accepted cryptographic methods for certificate format, digital signing, hash and random number generation
USB Power Delivery 3.0, the new revision of the USB Power Delivery specification, adds incremental features to the existing USB Power Delivery 2.0 specification. These features include enabling authentication message exchange over the USB PD communications channel for standard USB Type-C to USB Type-C cables. The new USB Type-C Bridging specification provides the necessary method for bridging messages to and from a USB PD link over the USB data bus. USB Type-C Bridging enables a USB host to communicate with the USB PD interface of a downstream port in a connected USB hub, among other capabilities. Leave a Comment
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Sennheiser Demos MK 4 Digital Mic for USB and iOS Sennheiser just demoed the new digital version of its MK 4, one of the audio specialist’s most popular recording mics. With high-quality Apogee A/D conversion and mic preamp technology, MK 4 digital connects directly to iOS devices, Mac and PC computers. The large-diaphragm MK 4 digital is designed for any mobile recording task.
The MK 4 digital is a must-have microphone for the home studio and in mobile recording, whether in the rehearsal room or on the road. Its exceptional sound quality will also be an asset in the recording of speech. It is delivered complete with a USB cable and a Lightning iOS cable for connecting to iPad, iPhone or iPod touch as well as a microphone clamp and a pouch.
The microphone can be used with common media production programs such as Logic Pro X, Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere, Pro Tools or Ableton Live and iOS recording apps such as GarageBand and Apogee MetaRecorder. The MK 4 digital will become available from summer 2016.
Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe AVBuyers.Club 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 and HomeAV industries, 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 or say anything good (or bad).
To send me feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas, Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com.
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship newsletter with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in 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. rAVe Radio, our podcast network, was launched in 2012. AVBuyers.Club, our first publications targeted at end users, launched in May 2015. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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Copyright 2016 – 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. |
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