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Volume 3, Issue 12 — December 27, 2012 |
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We’re Adding Healthcare and Government AV
By Gary Kayye
rAVe Founder
Yep, you read that right — we’re adding both Healthcare AV and Government AV technology to rAVe GreenAV: making an all new eNewsletter called rAVe GHGav.
Why?
All year, we debated launching a new eNewsletter totally focused on Healthcare AV. The healthcare market is booming — some say it’s because of the new healthcare law and some say it’s inspite of it. No matter what it is, there’s a lot of money being spent to upgrade everything from the software used to track patient records to the technology used to monitor patients — heck, just today, I learned of a mobile vital signs monitor from a company called Sotera (and they say they’ve taken orders for nearly a million of them already). And, guess what? That data is streamed via the network to giant NEC monitors in hospitals.
Simultaneously, one of our largest sponsors of rAVe GreenAV asked us to consider adding a Government AV section to our GreenAV eNewsletter — since most “real” GreenAV systems are being driven by government specs.
Then late this summer came the announcement that the National eHealth Collaborative (NeHC), a public-private partnership that accelerates secure and meaningful use of health IT, and InfoComm International, the InfoComm show people, announced their partnership as co-hosts of the inaugural Technology Crossroads Conference in Washington, DC on November 27-28. And, it was held in conjunction with the GovComm 2012 Expo.
Thus, rAVe GreenAV’s fate was sealed – it would become rAVe GHGav: still the industry’s first and only AV publication focused on GreenAV technology, but now the industry’s first and only publication focused on Government AV systems and Healthcare AV too!
So, welcome to the last issue of rAVe GreenAV and the first issue of rAVe GHGav. If you’re a reader of rAVe GreenAV already — you don’t need to do anything as your subscription will carry over into rAVe GHGav. But, if you want to subscribe to the all-new rAVe GHGav, go here: https://www.ravepubs.com/subscribe
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Always Be Closing
By Scott Walker
President and CEO, Waveguide Consulting
Earlier this month a very important person in our industry asked me a very straightforward question: Have we (the AV/IT industry) proven that there is a market for sustainable technology? In other words, do we believe there is a sizable group of buyers out there willing to pay a little more to have their projects undergo the STEP process? I answered honestly that I wasn’t sure how big that pool was, nor was I sure where the pain threshold lay in terms of additional fees to deliver a more sustainable system. Since then, I’ve been thinking long and hard about this question.
From my own experience I can certainly point to enterprise clients my firm has engaged and projects we have won based, in part, on our leadership in sustainability. I have pitched STEP on many occasions and seen the “aha moment” in peoples’ eyes as they understand the imminent logic of having not only a sustainable core building, but also that same sustainability mindset applied to the technology coursing throughout their building. It’s just an obvious follow through that aligns with what many clients are already doing in terms of their building programs.
However, we also have been living through four years of a pretty tough economy in the construction industry, and while our industry has fared better than most, our partners in the architectural and construction community have not been having a lot of fun. Thus, fees have been reduced all throughout the design and construction process, and “sustainability” has morphed into a gallows-humor term about simply staying in business another year as opposed to doing something good for future generations.
We also live in an era, I believe, of post-recession, green-rating-system fatigue. LEED doesn’t have the luster it had a few years ago. In many architecture firms it’s almost become a commodity. I’ve heard several architects say that LEED has become so second nature to them that it’s hard for them to not deliver a LEED-Silver building anymore. Their specs are just set up that way. I’ve also been in more and more project kickoff meetings where owners say they want the design team to follow LEED principles, but they (the owner) will not be paying tens of thousands of dollars just to get a pretty LEED plaque for the lobby of their building. It is against this backdrop that we are trying to introduce these same owners to STEP.
However, there are also some clients who want to push way beyond LEED. They are ready for something more. They want a smart, sustainable building, and some even want to go net-zero if they can only find the partners who can take them there.
We seem to be at a crossroad of sorts.
Over the past five and half years I’ve written 41 articles—more than 44,000 words—on this little topic of green AV. That’s almost the length of an average non-fiction book. What a long, strange trip it’s been.
Back in the summer of 2007 when I wrote my first article, everything about sustainability was new—at least to our industry. We were busy learning strange acronyms like VOC (volatile organic compounds) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances); new terms like heat-island effect, load shedding and carbon credits; and exploring new associations like the U.S. Green Building Council to see if this was a place to learn and network with like-minded people.
The modern environmental movement, which had begun in earnest with the publication of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” in 1962 and had grown in the 1970s with cultural signposts like the No Nukes concert, the beginning of the annual Earth Day celebrations and the ubiquitous Keep America Beautiful commercials with the iconic image if a crying Iron Eyes Cody, came into sharp relief in 2006 with the release of “An Inconvenient Truth.” This film, combined with reading “Cradle to Cradle,” is what made environmental awareness jump from like 50th on my list of things I thought and cared about to somewhere up in my top 10 list. It changed me, both personally and professionally. The cars my wife and I drove in 2006 averaged under 20 miles per gallon. Today, my family owns only hybrids that average well over 40 miles per gallon. My company, which had nothing to say about sustainability prior to 2007, is now winning business because we are known for our thought leadership on this issue. And along the way I have had the pleasure of building relationships with people who inspire me with their passion for this topic.
However, the questions still remain: How big of a market is there for sustainable technology and how much will people be willing to pay for it? How can we best make the ROI argument to justify the cost, or is that the wrong paradigm altogether?
Perhaps we should focus on the real special sauce we bring to the party: making a building smart and the owners who occupy it even smarter. Think about a smart phone or a smart car. If you’ve bought new car recently, did you create an ROI spreadsheet on what the Bluetooth, navigation, rear-view camera, etc, payback period was, or did you just say, “I want a car that has all that smart stuff in it. It will make me more efficient and safer in my travels.” The same goes for a smart phone. I’m starting to think we need to pivot our pitch toward the benefits of smart without losing sight of the positive aspects of sustainability.
So that’s what I intend to do, and with that declaration I have a little announcement to make: This will be my last monthly EcoSystems article. While it has been a great joy to be able to express myself each month in this column, I want to spend some time with my head down figuring out where this movement is going and see what I can learn. I hope to pop up a few times a year with updates on that quest, but I will be handing over this column space to my good buddy, Raymond Kent, one of this year’s recipients of the InfoComm Green AV Award. You guys are in good hands with Ray. We all have lots to learn from him. And Midori, keep marching on, sister. I’m rooting for you.
Before I close I have three thank yous: First and foremost, I want to thank Gary Kayye for this opportunity. I had only two conditions when Gary asked me to write for rAVe: I wanted to be able to say whatever I wanted to say, and I essentially wanted to be left alone and remain an independent voice in this cause. Gary, to his credit, gave me the freedom to say everything I wanted to say and allowed me to keep my voice independent in these columns. To Gary, Sara and everyone at rAVe, I appreciate you keeping your word and working with me for the past two and half years, even as I pushed my deadlines to the bitter end each month.
Second, I have to thank my faithful editor and monthly nag, Julie Benz. Julie, it’s been a wonderful ride trying to write an article each month that you would find better than the last one. You were always my target audience, and if I could make you laugh or inspire you, then I knew I had something. And thank you for teaching me grammar all along the way. You make it look like I was paying attention in college English class.
Lastly, I want to thank all the readers and friends out there who have inspired me over these past years. For all of you who forwarded one of my articles to your associates, tweeted about my column, or simply sent me a nice email, I greatly appreciate it. It can be a lonely place sitting in front of a flashing cursor every month wondering if I really had anything to say, but you guys kept me going when I doubted myself.
I’m not done with this journey, not by a long shot. I do firmly believe we have a valuable proposition to make to our clients. I’m just rolling up my sleeves for the next five years.
Always be closing. Walker out. (Drops mic.)
Scott Walker, CTS-D, LEED® AP, is president and CEO of Waveguide Consulting, a leading AV, IT and acoustical consulting firm. He is also a past president of InfoComm International. Scott is recognized as being one of the primary forces behind the founding of the Sustainable Technology Environments Program (STEP) rating system and currently is a member of the STEP Foundation board, which is responsible for managing the STEP program. Scott can be reached at swalker@waveguide.com
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Big Data, Smart AV
By Midori Connolly
Founder, AVGirl Productions
Right now, there isn’t much bigger than big data. Big data, data mining and business intelligence (BI) are the hottest terms around, and our industry is poised to capitalize on this trend.
In case you’re still a little unsure about these terms, here is my best explanation of the relationship between these terms, beginning with data. Data is just what it sounds like… raw numbers, facts or text that are captured and stored in some type of repository (aka a database). Then, by the process of data mining (through some type of analytical technology or human review), these numbers are organized into patterns and outcomes that can be referred to as information. Finally, by applying historical analysis and forecasting models, we generate knowledge, or intelligence, that will improve business results.
One of my all-time favorite stories of how big data and BI achieves results is the story of how a grocery chain identified the relationship between diapers and beer. They gathered data on the behavior of their male shoppers and organized this data into patterns of goods purchased, and on what days. Then, they were able to identify a relationship between their diaper and beer purchases on Thursdays and Saturdays. With this intel, they were able to increase revenue by selling those products at full price on those particular days, and improving product placement between the two (would love to hear the story of how they got the diapers closer to the beer!).
OK, so here we are halfway through this Green AV column and you haven’t heard a word about sustainability or AV… well, here goes. I see two ways that we, as AV professionals, can participate in the big data trend — mostly as it relates to what I’ve been calling Smart AV. As I see it, Smart AV is an audiovisual system that is designed to produce an improved quality of experience for the user, influences better business results and will improve the impact on the environment.
And, if we’re talking Smart AV, then we must discuss intelligent buildings. How do they become intelligent? By collecting data about all of the factors in an environment, performing analysis of this data and ultimately creating predictive technologies that will anticipate the needs and behaviors of the inhabitants. And this absolutely includes data to make your building greener (mostly in terms of energy efficiency), which we should easily be able to provide! As a matter of fact, you might just want to check out the impressive Green Building Council database on building efficiency at Gbig.org and see where we fit.
You know how the pro AV market was long intimidated by the encroachment of IT on our industry? Well, before long, with the data and information we can gather and supply with our networked systems, we may just see those IT peeps holding roundtable discussion groups at their annual conferences about the best ways to manage (or, better yet, cooperate with) the expansion of the AV market into their traditional territory.
Midori Connolly is the founder of AVGirl Productions in California. She wrote the first-ever set of Sustainable Staging best practices after discovering none existed. She was the co-chair of the AV committee for the ASTM Standard for Environmentally Sustainable Meetings and is a speaker, writer and consultant for green practices in live events and meeting planning. Reach her at midori@avgirlproductions.com
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Control Concepts and SurgeX Partner to Deliver Intuitive Control
SurgeX is shipping Crestron and AMX control system interface modules designed by Control Concepts. Smart energy management is playing an emergent role in homes and businesses, and the new automation modules will provide intelligent options for power management, measurement and reporting. The partnership makes it easier for integrators and end users to manage their power through an automation system.
With the introduction of the Axess Elite and Axess, SurgeX gives integrators and end users a smarter and more efficient way to manage and monitor power. Anytime access to power draw, temperature, over/under voltage and power sequencing provides valuable information about system health and performance, and with the Control Concepts modules, SurgeX dealers can now control Axess and Axess Elite products and manage power seamlessly via AMX and Crestron automation systems, leveraging the familiar, user-friendly interfaces.
Three major points of functionality were sought with the new modules. First, they had to measure energy usage and collect important data about system health. Second, they had to report usage data and overall system performance with the same intuitive interface AMX and Crestron users and dealers were already accustomed too. Lastly, the modules had to allow remote management of IP-enabled SurgeX Axess products so integrators could make sensible adjustments for system troubleshooting and efficiency at any time through the control systems.
For more information about SurgeX, go to
http://www.surgex.com and for more information about Control Concepts, go to
http://visit www.controlconcepts.net
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FSR Intros Top Shelf Equipment Rack
FSR’s new Top Shelf is a wall-mounted equipment rack that mounts to a wall close to the ceiling in locations without drop ceilings, or where space above the drop ceiling is limited. Top Shelf (model: TS-400) holds up to four RU of equipment with multiple mounting locations for power as well as signal connections. The unit’s steel frame ensures the equipment will be securely mounted and a plastic cover allows wireless signals to pass in and out of the enclosure unobstructed. The cover can be painted to match the room décor, and the box can be mounted in the best location to ease wiring and visual impact. |
Top Shelf includes a three position rack depth adjustment, has an optional fan that offers up to 110 watts of equipment cooling, includes an assortment of cable clamps and has a 50-pound equipment capacity. The steel cover still allows Wi-Fi and other wireless devices to pass through.
Here are all the specs:
http://www.fsrinc.com/products/ts-400.htm
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Torus Ships AVR2 Power Conditioner
Torus Power’s new flagship power conditioner is now shipping. The AVR2 Series of power conditioners include features such as surge protection; voltage stabilization; Web-based control that includes scheduling, monitoring and real-time control; and RS232 control. It also provides noise attenuation from 2 kHz to beyond 1 MHz.
AVR2 series provides multiple IP-addressable duplex outlet zones that can be separately turned on or off through the Web browser, and/or remotely scheduled. It offers individually addressable outlet zones (five individual zones in 15-amp and 20-amp models, and eight individual zones in 60 and 100 amp models.)
AVR2 series provide voltage stabilization that keeps equipment in the optimal voltage operating range (in North America +/– 5V, in Europe/Asia/Australia +/- 10V) of nominal operating voltage, regardless of fluctuations in line voltages. The front panel display shows voltage conditions (input/output voltage), current draw and IP address.
Here are the full specs:
http://www.toruspower.com/north-american-custom-installed/
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Christie Debuts New Control System Cube
Christie has announced a broad new line-up of high-brightness, LED based video wall display cubes and products. |
The new Christie
Entero HB series includes 50″, 67″, 70″ and 80″ versions are all
SXGA+ (
1400×1050) resolution and offer integrated
Wi-Fi for control and management of the cubes. They use the third generation of Christie’s
ArraySync feature, have 1,000 lumens of brightness, are LED-based and are a completely solid-state design, with the exception of the cooling fans. Christie says they will ship by February 2013. All the specs are here: http://
www.christiedigital.com/en-us/video-walls/video-wall-solutions/video-wall-displays/led-based-cubes/pages/
50-in-hb-sxga-dlp-led-based-cubes.aspx
Christie also launched an HD (
1920×1080)
DLP cube that’s 70″ diagonally.
Spec’d at 1,000 ANSI lumens brightness, the
Entero HB 70″ HD display cube is
Wi-Fi enabled, includes Christie’s
ArraySync and is designed for 24/7/365 operation. It’s also LED-based with a solid-state design and is only 31″ deep. The complete specs are here: http://
www.christiedigital.com/en-us/video-walls/video-wall-solutions/video-wall-displays/led-based-cubes/pages/
70-in-hb-hd-dlp-led-based-cubes.aspx
In addition, Christie debuted two cube engines, called the
Entero HB, for placing in custom-made cubes or rear-screen enclosures, such as the ones made by
rp Visual Solutions. The
RPMSP-LED01 is an
SXGA+ cube (
1400×1050 resolution) offering 750 ANSI lumens in brightness and
Wi-Fi. The complete specs are here: http://
www.christiedigital.com/en-us/video-walls/video-wall-solutions/rear-screen-projectors/led-based-projection/pages/
hb-sxga-dlp-led-based-projection.aspx
The other cube engine is the one used for the HD (
1920×1080) version. It’s called the
RPMHD-LED01 and offers the same specs as the
RPMSP-LED01 except for the resolution. Since it’s just the engine, you can mount it into any custom enclosure. All those specs are here: http://
www.christiedigital.com/en-us/video-walls/video-wall-solutions/rear-screen-projectors/led-based-projection/pages/hb-hd-dlp-led-led-based-projection.aspx
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NEC Intros 3,300-Lumen Short Throw Projectors
NEC Display just launched the new UM Series of ultra-short throw LCD projectors, starting with two 3,300-lumen units: the UM330X and UM330W. Both offer interactivity options via integration with eBeam.
A complete interactive projector solution can be created using the optional NP02Wi eBeam interactive system (http://www.necdisplay.com/p/NP02Wi), which connects between the USB port on the eBeam module at the front of the projector and computer, and uses IR to determine the wireless pen’s position within the displayed image. This technology gives users the ability to control their computers and annotate accurately at the whiteboard. With the projectors’ ability to be mounted to the walls directly above the screens on which they project, the UM330X and UM330W help eliminate shadows and glare typically found with standard projection systems.
The UM330X is an XGA (1024×768) projector and the UM330W is a WXGA (1280×800) resolution projector. Both projectors use 0.36:1 lenses; offer Eco-modes; can take content through a wired or wireless network; and have two HDMI ports, a VGA port and a USB content port.
The UM330X and UM330W projectors, as well as the UM330X-WK1 and UM330W-WK1 bundles, will be available in January 2013 at a minimum advertised price of $1,099, $1,299, $1,318 and $1,518, respectively.
The UM330X is here: http://www.necdisplay.com/p/np-um330x
The UM330W is here:
http://www.necdisplay.com/p/np-um330w
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New Milestone AV Headquarters Awarded LEED-CI Silver Certification
The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Milestone AV Technologies’ newly renovated global headquarters and design center a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) Silver certification. Milestone, home to the Chief, Sanus, Da-Lite and Projecta brands, expanded into the new location in Eden Prairie, Minn. earlier this year.
The U.S. Green Building Council developed the LEED rating system to reward designs that reduce environmental impact throughout a range of categories including water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and transportation. Silver certified buildings have reached a designated number of goals toward reducing environmental impacts in these categories.
Architecture firm Mekus Tanager designed Milestone’s new space with a focus on sustainability. The first step in sustainability was to rehabilitate a building with unique design features and great natural light. The updated interior of the building includes natural lighting for 95 percent of regularly occupied seated spaces and ENERGY STAR ratings for 95 percent of the equipment in the building. The building’s design also encourages cross-team interaction and collaboration toward new product innovation.
Other examples of sustainable design solutions that Milestone employs in the new headquarters include:
- 30 percent reduction in water usage with the implementation of low flow fixtures
- 5 percent reduction in energy consumption from lighting fixtures
- 15.5 percent of construction materials were made of recycled content
- 89.5 percent of the construction waste was diverted from the landfill and recycled
- Use of outside air to cool the building’s data center without using additional energy due to Minnesota’s low ambient temperature
- Nearby walking/jogging paths, bicycle storage and shower facilities to encourage alternative ways for employees to commute to work
- Location near four major highways as well as the proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit line
Although LEED-oriented construction calls for a higher initial investment, the reduced long-term operational costs of running a building with efficient electrical and mechanical systems offset the price over time.
More on Milestone’s commitment to environmental responsibility can be found at
http://www.milestone.com/sustainability.html
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Furman Now Shipping Contractor Series Power Management Solutions
Furman has started shipping its CN-3600S E (220V-240V, 16A capacity) SmartSequencer, it’s first power management solution for the EMEA market and part of the company’s ProAV Contractor Series. Integrated with BlueBOLT functionality with AC power distribution, protection, filtration and sequential system power on/off, the CN-3600S E also has Furman’s SmartSequencing technology, which the company says allows both small and large systems to be powered on and off safely.
The 1-RU rackmount unit features eight rear-panel IEC C-13 outlets — in addition to one front-panel convenience outlet — in four adjustable delay-sequence banks. All outlets provide clean, safe power with Furman’s SMP, EVS, and LiFT protection and filtration technologies.
You can see all the specs here:
http://www.furmansound.com/
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BenQ Introduces New Green Projector for Small to Medium Spaces
BenQ America Corp. this month introduced the MX520 digital projector, an affordable and GreenAV projector for small to medium spaces. The XGA MX520 offers 3,000 ANSI lumen brightness, a specified contrast ratio of 13,000:1 and 3D format support.
The MX520 also offers GreenAV features, including BenQ’s SmartEco technology, which the company says allows the lamp life to be extended up to 6,500 hours (twice as long as the previous generation) and reduces power consumption by up to 70 percent. Other energy-efficient functions include Eco Blank, No Source Detected and Standby modes that dim or blank out the screen whenever projection isn’t required. The MX520 also features a faster cooling time and if the projector is accidentally switched off, an instant restart function provides a 90-second period for immediately turning the device back on.
It also has a Signal Power On feature that brings the projector to life automatically when an input signal is detected. The MX520 is shipping immediately with a list price of $699.
For all the specs, click here:
http://www.benq.us/product/projector/mx520
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Volfoni Claims to Solve the “Too Dark” Complaint for 3D Movies
Audiences sometimes complain that 3D movies are “too dark.” Now French company Volfoni has introduced a SmartCrystal Cinema polarization modulator that claims 18 percent light efficiency (more light output) when used with Volfoni’s passive 3D glasses. And, the company also says it’s greener because the projector will use less lamp power (20 percent to 30 percent less light) to accomplish it. It’s also simple to integrate because an integrator just needs to slide the modulator in front of the lens of a 3D projector — although you have to use the company’s branded passive 3D glasses.
The system works with any with any DCI-compliant DLP projector. It works with projector lamps up to 7kW, and silver screens up to 60 feet wide.
How does it work? Volfoni has added an anti-reflective layer on the glass panel, reducing the loss of light by reflection on the different surfaces of the panel. The company claims this reduces “ghosting” in the world of 3D because its “Surface Switching” technology, combined with a specially optimized panel coating, allows for a “practically” cross-talk free image, according to Volfoni’s press release.
Here are all the technical details:
http://www.volfoni.com/en/
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Extron Intros Compact HDMI Fiber Optic Extender
Extron’s new HFX 100 HDMI Fiber Optic Extender is being promoted as an economical transmitter and receiver set for long distance transmission of HDMI video and embedded multi-channel audio signals over a single fiber optic cable. It extends HDCP-compliant HDMI signals over a multimode cable at lengths up to 300 meters (984 feet). The compact extender uses all-digital technology to deliver perfect pixel-for-pixel transmission of images up to 1920×1200, including HDTV 1080p/60.
The HFX 100 supports HDMI specification features, including data rates up to 6.25 Gbps, 12-bit Deep Color, HD lossless audio formats and CEC. Extron’s HDMI cables are attached to the transmitter and receiver, allowing direct connection with source and destination devices. The HFX 100 transmitter and receiver are housed in compact 1U, one-eighth rack width enclosures.
Here are all the specs:
http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=hfx100&search=hfx%20100
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TrueConf Develops Desktop VTC System Compatible with MAC OS, Windows, Android and iOS
Russian-based soft-codec VTC manufacturer TrueConf has had a desktop VTC system application that was capable of connecting Windows and Android users together for a while. Now it’s MAC OS and iOS capable too.
The TrueConf video conferencing solution for OS X is designed for OS X 10.7 and its older versions. It provides video conferencing calls for the corporate video network TrueConf Server, as well as the cloud video conferencing service TrueConf Online.
Currently, TrueConf solutions for OS ? are available for download on the TrueConf website:
http://trueconf.com/download/trueconf-client.dmg
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Key Digital Introduces Champion Series HDMI Cables
Key Digital introduced today a new line of HDMI cables, called the Champion Series Hi-Fi Commercial PRO HDMI Cables, designed specifically for commercial applications. The cables range from 1.5 feet up to 75 feet.
The Champion Series cables are equipped with the latest HDMI features, including 4K resolution support, 3D, HDMI Ethernet and Audio Return Channel. They also support next generation of digital audio bit-streams including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio. They also offer what Key Digital is calling IQ Control technology, a configurable Control line over HDMI that supports any two of the following: CEC, ARC, IR or RS232.
To see all the specs, click here [PDF]:
http://keydigital.com/Downloads/Champion/2012_Champion_HDMI_Cables.pdf
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ANSI Seeks Input for Energy Standard
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Energy Efficiency Standardization Coordination Collaborative (EESCC) is soliciting input regarding relevant standards, codes, guidelines and conformance programs that are available or under development, and what perceived gaps in energy efficiency standardization and conformance activities currently exist.
The EESCC has set up online forms to make it easy for stakeholders to submit information about relevant standardization documents (standards, codes, guidelines, and regulations), conformance programs, and standardization gaps. Submissions should consider the following questions:
- What standardization documents or conformance programs related to the built environment currently exist and what are on the horizon?
- What is the goal of the document or conformance program in question?
- Who is the standardization document or conformance program intended to serve, and how is it being used in the market?
- Is the document or conformance program being implemented at the state or federal level?
- What building types does the document or conformance program apply to?
Submissions regarding major gaps, challenges, or untapped opportunities in the energy standardization landscape are also encouraged. Submitters are asked to explain why the gap is a priority, who the affected stakeholders are, and how the gap could be addressed by the public or private sector.
Here are the forms:
Online entry form for documents (standards, codes, guides, and regulations):
http://toolswiki.ansi.org/tiki-index.php?page=EESCCSInputForm
Online entry form for conformance programs:
http://toolswiki.ansi.org/tiki-index.php?page=EESCCCInputForm
Online entry form for potential gaps in the standardization landscape:
http://toolswiki.ansi.org/tiki-index.php?page=EESCCGInputForm
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AmpliVox Sound Adds Rechargeable Battery Pack for Mity-Meg Megaphone
AmpliVox Sound Systems has introduced a new rechargeable battery pack option for its updated Mity-Meg Plus (S602M) 25-watt megaphone. The company says the quick-charging S1405 lithium-ion battery pack replaces conventional alkaline batteries to maintain the Mity-Meg’s sound amplification for up to 40 hours of typical use. The battery pack also weighs far less than conventional batteries, making the Mity-Meg Plus lighter and easier to use for extended periods.
The new S1405 battery pack offers a number of advantages to alkaline batteries, including:
- Reduced Weight: The new Mighty-Meg Plus with the optional S1405 lithium-ion battery pack weighs just 2.65 pounds, 30 percent less than a comparable model with disposable batteries.
- Longer Battery Life: With up to 40 hours of use time per charge, the S1405 easily surpasses the use time of alkaline batteries.
- Lower Operating Cost: The S1405 eliminates the need to frequently replace disposable batteries.
- Green Conscious: Rechargeable batteries are an environmentally friendly choice, reducing the number of toxic disposable batteries in landfills.
- Always Ready: The S1405 holds its charge when not in use for up to six months, and can be fully charged from any power outlet in four hours using its integrated wall charger.
The Mity-Meg Plus is AmpliVox’s most powerful megaphone, with an effective range of up to one mile. Using Piezo microphone technology, it delivers up to 40 percent longer battery life than other megaphones. The Mity-Meg’s plastic construction is weatherproof and shockproof. It can be used in talk, siren and whistle modes with adjustable volume control. The Mity-Meg Plus also includes an integrated battery level indicator, detachable corded mic, pistol grip and shoulder strap.
For more information on the AmpliVox S602M Mity-Meg Plus and the S1405 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, visit
http://blog.ampli.com/2012/12/rechargeable-megaphone-with-optional-battery-pack.html or
http://www.ampli.com/pdf/spec-s602m.pdf
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Extron Introduces Long Distance HDMI Twisted Pair Extender
Extron’s new DTP HDMI 330 is a long-distance transmitter and receiver set for long distance transmission of HDMI, audio and bi-directional RS232 and IR control signals up to 330 feet (100 meters) over a single CATx cable. The HDCP-compliant extender provides an effective means for extending HDMI with embedded multi-channel audio from HDMI-equipped devices. In addition, the DTP HDMI 330 accepts analog stereo audio signals and digitizes them for simultaneous transmission over the same twisted pair cable.
The DTP HDMI 330 is compatible with CAT5e, CAT6 and CAT7 twisted pair cable and can be used as a point-to-point solution or integrated with an HDMI matrix switcher to extend inputs or outputs to remote locations. It supports signal resolutions up to 1080p/60 and 1920×1200 and supports HDMI specification features including data rates up to 6.75 Gbps, Deep Color up to 12-bit, 3D, HD lossless audio formats and CEC. For added flexibility, either the transmitter or receiver can be powered over the original twisted pair cable, allowing both devices to share one external power supply.
Here are all the specs:
http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=dtphdmi330
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