Volume 4, Issue 12 — December 22, 2015
|
House of Worship Trends The Future of HOW
|
|
|
Top House of Worship Ads of 2015
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
Each year, I look for the most effective ads of A/V/L gear targeting the House of Worship (HOW) market. I can tell you that, once again, the vast majority (greater than 99 percent – I’ve looked through hundreds of terrible examples) of the current ads for the HOW technology market are either A) too niche in their focus; or B) nearly offensive in their pandering to a market the advertiser clearly doesn’t understand.
As a way to consistently grade the ads and provide context for those interested in creating or changing their ads for the church market, I have a system for these reviews. First, I chose ads that were placed in more than one publication and published through at least two different publishing companies. Second, ads were scored in three categories, on a one-to-five scale where one is the lowest and five is the highest. Each category (creativity, copywriting, memorability) is worth understanding as an advertiser to the HOW market.
Below are the top house of worship ads 2015, along with my analysis on why these made this list.
CREATIVITY |
COPYWRITING |
MEMORABILITY |
|
|
|
Sony has been hit and miss over the past several years with their ads, but this newest one represents their matured presence in the church market. To Sony’s credit, it identifies strongly with churches of all sizes and denominations — no small feat.
There’s so much right with this ad:
- FINALLY: Sony recognizes the pain and frustration that churches experience in their dealings with vendors.
- PARTNER: Not just a manufacturer. Not just a technology provider. A partner. This both signals the alignment of the Omega broadcast group and a partnership with churches.
- BELIEVE IN: There’s a fine line of using a play on words, but Sony effectively rides it without slipping down the slope of cheesy church-sounding terms. Churches stand apart from other verticals because of belief. The assertion that they can believe in Sony is not a religious expectation, but a clever play on words that identifies the value of trust and reinforces the partner statement.
The ad doesn’t have any product photos or signal flow diagrams because anything else would cheapen the message and skew the reach to a smaller market segment. Even the call-to-action URL includes a nod to understanding this market (‘faith’) without pandering to the audience.
In my opinion, this ad could not be improved. However, I think it could be tied into a larger marketing campaign that uses the ‘BELIEVE’ tag as they unifier for other ads. This is how it’s done, folks.
CREATIVITY |
COPYWRITING |
MEMORABILITY |
|
|
|
Yamaha Commerical Audio has a close second-place finish behind Sony with this new ad ‘Learn One, Learn All’ — which combines the photos of two different classes of audio consoles in with photos of two different church venue sizes. What makes this ad brilliant is the way they used the silhouette of the same audio engineer standing in between both the images and the consoles. This ad effectively represents the same person as being able to operate either console in different venues and know that they operate on the same menu systems and functional controls.
The ad implies that if a sound engineer can learn one, they can apply their learnings in any venue on any of Yamaha’s consoles. This will strike a chord with smaller churches looking to upgrade to a larger venue as well as they multisite churches wanting consistency in volunteer training and operation across each venue and location.
The big miss on this ad is not providing a specific landing page URL for their marketing and sales teams to track the click-through and response rates to the ad. The generic URL will be used for any web traffic related to Yamaha Commercial Audio and eliminate all link sources because the ad was used in print and isn’t specific to the HOW market.
CREATIVITY |
COPYWRITING |
MEMORABILITY |
|
|
|
The first of the digital-only ads, this ad included an auto-playing YouTube video that combined HD video and 3D animation to realize a seamless, movie-like quality overview of their newest digital audio console. The impressive and succinct video (less than two minutes long) identifies key features, but also hints at how the digital touch panel systems work and are applied to a mix.
Set to an upbeat, electronic track, the video clip moves along at a nice pace without bogging down on obscure details. The upside of a music-only audio track is that the video can be used for a variety of market types; but that’s also where the spot misses out on being truly stand-out. Either add some narration that describes how these features and functionality fit into church audio or change the animation to include vertical market specific call-outs.
I don’t have data on the number of impressions or views a piece like this gets, but I know that Roland does because it’s their YouTube video on their channel. This is smart for them as advertisers, as it gives them metrics to see how this ad is performing on digital platforms, assuming they used a custom URL for this video that is unique to the digital magazine it was embedded into.
One last note: Roland chose to use a subdomain (proAV) and a landing page prefix (OHRCA), which makes for a long URL. This isn’t a big deal in digital, which is click-able, but it would be hard to remember for a print ad.
CREATIVITY |
COPYWRITING |
MEMORABILITY |
|
|
|
I’ve added in this ad because it does several things well even though it is not from a manufacturer or systems integrator. Instead, it’s a well-done advertisement for a new series of regional conferences developed by Todd Elliott, former technical director for Willow Creek Community Church, one of the largest and most effective technology churches for the past two decades. FILO stands for First In, Last Out – a term that is clearly understood by technical arts staff and volunteers that live this moniker.
Because Todd is leading this from a personal vision, he has added sponsorship of these conferences to the ad, furthering the brand recognition for these sponsors. Smart and a double-win for FILO and the sponsors.
The video embedded into this digital-only ad is simple and effective. Because FILO is founded by Todd, his personal invitation is both sincere and highly credible. The ad also includes practical, click-able links to other events, the website, and the sponsors.
One last mention about this ad: it directly ties into the social media channels of FILO, and they’re all click-able. Very, very smart.
I’d like to see more digital advertisements in the 2016 version of this list.
CREATIVITY |
COPYWRITING |
MEMORABILITY |
|
|
|
The use of nature photography was clever when combined with the word “mission,” which is a term that is associated with missionaries (who are often funded by churches). This ad ties together the digital technology within the church and the ministries using technology outside of the church — namely, missions work.
Another winning point of this ad is the effective use of two versions of the product image. The pictures show the connectivity types, which helps users self-identify with the level of capability of each device. Further, the smart inclusion of their SpeedDrive (complimentary product) and a small call-out further increase the positioning of the product for churches of all sizes.
The only lacking part of this ad is the copywriting. While it does include some terms (as Sony did in the ad above) that help identify with the church world, it misses the mark in defining the value proposition. Instead, it goes for the lowest common denominator of advertising: features and benefits. Yes, those have a place, but they can’t be the best way to reach a broad audience of tech geeks and non-tech pastors alike.
CREATIVITY |
COPYWRITING |
MEMORABILITY |
|
|
|
For the second year in a row, Digital Audio Labs has used the same effective ad — a simple, vertically-oriented one-third page design for their Livemix personal monitoring system. High-contrast simplicity combined with their value proposition statements overlaid on top of an image of a casual, rock-n-roll service style makes it both easy to read and easy for contemporary churches to identify with the vibe.
Once again, volunteer operation is highlighted because of the ubiquitous need for volunteer-friendly control. The key phrases were the two highlighted in the ad: simple enough for volunteers and deep enough for professionals. Yet the ad also speaks to the technicians and musicians who appreciate professional features. There’s just enough features listed to entice the user to find out more, but plenty to present their case to the reader. The one new addition is the “DANTE spoken here,” which signifies the device is compatible with the DANTE (Digital Audio Network Through Ethernet) protocol.
My recommendation still stands: make the model name, product, URL and logo all clickable for the digital (web) version of the ad. Advertisers should take advantage of these free and powerful tracking mechanisms when paying for placement in digital.
The bold, all-caps URL is the clear call-to-action, but as with the other entrants, could still be made more effective with a specific URL landing page to track the response rate of the ad – especially since this ad also appeared in a digital version of a trade magazine.
It’s not always necessary to have the space for copy or images in a larger ad when it’s possible to execute this well in a third-page advertisement.
How to Advertise to the HOW Market
All of these ads share three characteristics: They’re well-crafted, targeted and memorable. Even a casual flip through trade pubs and church production magazines reveals just how big a gulf in understanding exists between these advertisers and the rest of the pack — and it’s significant. Though not all had specific landing pages, top-notch call-to-actions, or the opportunity to connect via social media, these ads still had more than enough going for them to be honored as some of the best HOW market advertisements in 2015.
For manufacturers and systems integrators to maximize their advertising dollars, compare these ads to what your firm and others are doing. There’s a plethora of verbal pandering, generic copy and stock images masquerading as advertising to a market that’s been fed mediocre marketing for decades. Here’s my helpful advice for marketing to this massive vertical market:
- Define your personas.
- Sell your value proposition over your product’s features and benefits.
- Identify felt needs.
- Connect with the user’s pain points.
- Provide a solution, not just a product.
- Don’t talk at the reader; talk to your prospects.
- Learn which images and photographs server your best target demographic in the HOW space.
- Use compelling landing pages that invite the prospect to learn more with a non-existent barrier to entry.
- Track your marketing efforts and measure what’s working — and why.
The house of worship market is over 330,000 unique churches strong in North America alone. Add to that the crazy growth of multi-site and multi-venue church campuses, and the obvious intersection of your products and churches should be crystal clear.
What do you think — are these the best HOW ads of 2015 or do you have another you’d like to have seen listed above? Share your views and links in the comments below. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Throwing Good Money at Bad Advertising
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
The writer inside of me knows that people want helpful insight and good advice. It also knows that ticking off potential advertisers for rAVe isn’t a good idea. Sometimes, the two are at odds. I also believe that telling the truth, kindly, is possible. And it is with this good intention that I focus this future of the house of worship focused article to those in the AVL industry that are at least trying to advertise to churches. Don’t hate me for my honesty.
Lose the Religious Lingo
For the vast majority of churches here in the U.S., speaking at them with flowery, church-y language identifies your brand as being out-of-touch with the church market. Examples abound and include silly phrases like “angelic sound,” “heavenly lighting” and “the answer to all your prayers.” These are actual advertising copy pulled directly from ads selling A/V/L gear to the HOW market. Stop it!
Your audio processing may be beautiful to hear, but churches don’t need to have your signal flow likened to angels singing. Really, it’s just pandering. Church buyers are not idiots, though many of them could use some helpful education and insight. I can personally promise you that they’re not actually praying for your brand of projector, either, so stop the God-pitch.
Sometimes, when you really know the HOW market, a few key phrases in context can be helpful. See this month’s 2015 top ads article for examples of advertisers, like Sony, that got this tricky one right.
Stop with the Cheesy Artwork
I don’t know what it is about advertisers, but showing ‘angels’ or Photoshopped corporate presenters in front of a large audience isn’t going to convince church buyers. Tell it and show it to us like it is. Here’s a brief list of what doesn’t work.
Does even one advertiser here think that a silhouette of a rock band is going to encourage even the most edgy of churches to purchase a wall-mounted lighting controller? Apparently, one does.
And what ad designer though Photoshopping impossibly high-contrast photos onto projection screens in a room lit with windows was going to pass as plausible? It’s tantamount to an automotive company showing a car flying through the air. It is this level of fraudulence that eliminates credibility of a brand and eschews churches away from your products.
Does another curved line array Photoshopped onto a stock photo of an empty church auditorium really look that different from every other curved line array Photoshopped onto a stock photo of an empty church auditorium?
The examples are, sadly, almost endless. Enough with the angels wings and excessive beams of light shining down onto a pastor. This is what we get out of those ads: You don’t get it.
You’re Killing Bunnies with Bullet Points
I’ve long said that identifying the user (persona), defining your value proposition and solving technical problems are the best ways to help churches connect with your brand. I’ve also said time and again that a dizzying bullet list of features, capabilities, and technical specs is a sure fire way to miss the extreme majority of church A/V/L buyers. And yet, the lists continue to proliferate in ads.
The average seems to be around six to eight bullet points per ad. One manufacturer decided to double down and go with a whopping 13 bullet points for a single ad. To add insult to injury, all of the product shots in the ad had old-school Photoshopped glow around them to further demonstrate how out of touch they were (1995 called and wants its glow effects back).
Here’s a practical bit of presentation advice that is seemingly needed for a shockingly large number of church market advertisers: Bullet points kill bunnies. No, they don’t actually do that, but if they did, I’m not entirely sure we’d see less bullets in these ads by this time next year. Still, a columnist can try his best to stop the endless bullet point lists.
25-Year-Old Female Models are Infrequent Church Buyers
This one could really get me some stink, but I’m just gonna say it: While there are a disproportionate amount of males which make up the church tech arts space, putting a ridiculously attractive young female model in your ads isn’t working.
If anything, we don’t really believe that young lady is really benefiting from your assistive listening devices while being Photoshopped into a church pew. We’re pretty sure the larger majority of our congregants that want those devices are senior adults.
I’m not saying all of the dudes in churches are not appreciative of a pretty young lady, but she’s simply not representative of how the majority of A/V/L products are utilized. This goes in line with my belief that the era of booth babes should have ended long ago, and not because I’m a ‘religious person,’ but because I’m not a misogynist.
Tell Me What’s In It For Me
If you really want to make compelling and effective ads for the church market, tell the reader what’s in it for them. That has far less to do with the number of features and more to do with your understanding of my venues, my pain points, and my goals. You know — Marketing 101 type stuff.
The HOW market isn’t an aberration; it’s a vertical market that’s made up of people. And, like all people, we need to know you can meet our needs and solve our problems if we’re going to purchase anything from you.
So stop the crappy artwork, the fluffy language and the unnecessary slaughter of bunnies. Treat us with respect and we’ll consider buying from you. Treat us like morons, and we’ll likely assume the worst about your brand.
The choice is yours, advertisers. More sales into the HOW market? Or a continuation of missing the point.
Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
BAE Audio Announces Shipment of New 10DCF Compressor/LimiterBAE Audio announced that its new 10DCF Compressor is shipping. BAE says the new bypass filter delivers increased flexibility while recording low frequency ranged instruments, and engages at 50, 80, 160 and 300 Hz — for users who want to compress a broad frequency range while leaving lower frequencies uncompressed. The 10DCF units are also stereo linkable, making them usable for the output stage of a mixer.
Aside from its unmistakably authentic sound quality, the 10DCF also features a useful range of features on its front panel, including Elma stepped switches for each control, BAE Audio’s trademark Marconi knobs, and a gas-tank style analog meter. The combination of these elements provides users with accurate visual and tactile reference points as they adjust and shape their sounds. The metering on the 10DCF incorporates a sleek and simple design, with easy to read white lettering set against a black background in a rugged gas-tank style encasement.
The 10DCF, which is available now and priced at $2,100 (including power supply), is hand assembled in California using only premium grade analogue components. Pricing is set at $1,900 for a single unit without power supply, $2,100 with power supply and $4,000 for a pair with power supply. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Mackie Delivers Tons of New Features with Master Fader v4.0Mackie today announced the immediate availability of Master Fader v4.0, a control app for its DL32R, DL1608 and DL806 digital mixers. The most important new app feature is the addition of an RTA on each output. Users can now view a real time RTA beneath any output’s PEQ or GEQ. This delivers professional visual feedback that’s great when tuning the room or to make more precise EQ adjustments. For those newer to mixing, it also offers a great way to learn how EQ affects the sound of a mix.
Master Fader v4.0 marks the integration of iPad, iPhone and iPod touch support within a single app, doing away with the need for the separate My Fader app for personal monitor mixing. Now, Master Fader recognizes which device type being used and sets the features accordingly. Using a single app for all supported devices offers easier management and updating for users. Master Fader v4.0 also adds support for the iPad Pro.
DL1608 and DL806 users will benefit from a completely updated take on recording and playback. Now, users can install, see and access all of their recordings direct from Master Fader. This also allows for direct playback from Master Fader so users can audition their recordings or use them immediately for intermission music, room tuning and more. Exporting these tracks is also now simpler, taking advantage of Master Fader’s integration with the iOS share sheet.
DL32R users will see the addition of a built-in oscillator, perfect for testing system functionality, ensuring hookups are correct and general diagnosis. Route the oscillator’s signal (pink noise, white noise or sine wave with selectable frequency) to any channel or physical output.
Many other enhancements have been made to ease setup, aid workflow or increase customization. New to Master Fader is the ability to easily copy and paste channels and mixes. This provides real world flexibility sure to save time and improve organization. Master Fader now also has a completely scalable UI, including the ability to use the new Split View in iOS 9. Perfect for onstage musician’s controlling their own mix, users can easily see both Master Fader and things like a set list, lyrics or music sheets without having to switch apps. There’s a new quick assign function to make assigning channel ID easier than ever. There’s an update to access limiting that completely hides limited features, so installers can create a custom workflow for their customers. And, with tighter integration with iOS, things like importing and exporting get better, allowing easy export to a huge range of locations including the iCloud Drive, Microsoft One Drive, Dropbox and more.
Master Fader v4.0 is available for immediate download from here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
RCF Launches the HDL50-A Three-Way Active Line ArrayRCF’s D-Line has grown with the addition of the large format HDL50-A. The most powerful in the series, the HDL50-A is an active three-way line array module, designed specifically for large events — both indoors and outdoors.
Equipped with two 12” woofers, four symmetrical 6.5″ mid-ranges and two 2” drivers, it includes a built in 4400-watt powerful digital amplifier and uses neodymium magnets and a new housing constructed from lightweight plywood and polypropylene (and a weight of only 106 pounds).
The custom 4PATH designed waveguide allows a precise coverage of 90°x10° degrees and the unique shape of the four ducts forming the guide create an ideal isophasic load from 700 Hz to the highest audible frequencies.
The two ND850 large format compression drivers deliver one of the key advantages of the HDL 50-A, while the 3” voice coil allows a crossover point of 800Hz allowing this driver to produce almost all of the vocal range. RSF says this allows better coverage and superior efficiency. And, the symmetrical design of the cabinet produces identical left and right coverage. The component positioning and special DSP crossover filtering of the HDL50-A take care of the constant directivity without spots of break up or attenuation. The originally designed V-SHAPED front baffle provides co-planar mid-ranges and woofers and a controlled LF dispersion.
A 4400-watt peak power digital amplifier powers the HDL50-A: 800 watts for the HF, 1400 watts for midrange section and 2200 watts for the LF. New generation DSP handles all the processing within the cabinet and allows adjustment of Cluster size and HF projection.
All these settings are accessed by the encoder on the rear of the cabinets or using the integrated RDNet remote control. The controls on the back of the speaker allow a number of simple optimizations to be carried out at the flick of a switch.
The HDL50-A tour grade system comes in a composite wooden polypropylene enclosure, and is equipped with two aluminum side handles with rubber handgrips and two rear handles for portability.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Roland Now Shipping Its V-1HD High-Definition Video SwitcherRoland announced it’s shipping its V-1HD Video Switcher, a four input HDMI switcher with compositing effects and creative video switching capabilities and HDCP copy protection. The V-1HD can also be controlled by the companion PC/Mac or iPad application when connected by USB. The V-1HD includes two HDMI program and preview outputs and a stereo audio output.
The V-1HD gives users an array of compositing effects, including picture-in-picture and keying, allowing for graphic insets plus titling and green screen capabilities. The V-1HD is ideal for live event video switching, thanks to its advanced transition and filter effects — more than 30 effects and transition types including mix, cut, full additive mix (FAM), non-additive mix (NAM), wipe and other performance effects. The V-1HD also has output fade, BPM Sync and Auto-Scan functions. The A and B video busses each have controls for effects assignment and parameter control. The output can be switched A/B or in PGM/PST mode where the B buss is used for signal preview. The preview output can be set to a multi-view mode, where all inputs are displayed with colored borders indicating the program and preview selections, or in a full-screen mode. The preview output can be used for additional, menu-driven set-up control, or as a second output for applications such as a simultaneous webcast or recording output.
The 12-channel audio mixer offers 3-band parametric EQ, reverb, up to 500ms delay for accurate lip-sync, a compressor/gate on the mic input and level/multi-band EQ on the master mix. A headphone output facilitates audio monitoring and the V-1HD supports mono or stereo plug-in-powered microphones.
The V-1HD features a clean, intuitive control layout with multi-function buttons and knobs and a large T-handled T-Fader for key and transition operations.
The Roland V-1HD High-Definition Video Switcher is now available at a suggested retail price of $995. Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
Antelope Audio Intros Two Thunderbolt-Compatible Devices: Orion32+ and Orion StudioAntelope Audio announced that Orion32+ and Orion Studio, are now compatible with Apple Thunderbolt technology — and both are shipping.
Orion32+ follows its predecessor, Orion32, which launched three years ago as a 32-channel interface solution in a 1U rack. Orion32+ is now Antelope’s flagship interface and features Thunderbolt compatibility, improved dynamic range, claiming zero latency monitoring and Antelope’s “signature uncompromising audio quality.”
The Orion32+ is 32 channels of I/O with a spa of zero latency monitoring and 32-simultaneous channels of 24-bit, 192 kHz audio performance. The unit also delivers a vast range of connectivity options including Thunderbolt, MADI and USB, making it suitable for use in commercial, home studio and live environments. The Orion32+ also incorporates ADAT and S/PDIF throughput, with I/O being handled by eight D-Sub 25 connectors and a pair of mastering grade monitor outputs — both capable of delivering 129 dB dynamic range.
Now with full Thunderbolt compatibility, Antelope’s Orion Studio is in a 1U form factor, is their lowest latency AD/DA converter in its class and USB compatibility.
Designed for both project studios, home recording environments and other applications, Orion Studio delivers professional grade audio quality and is capable of processing 32 channels of 192 kHz audio at dizzying speeds of 100μ round trip delay. With 12 commercial quality microphone pre-amplifiers, 16 analog outputs, two mastering grade monitor outputs and Thunderbolt compatibility, Orion Studio is the perfect companion to achieve the ultimate in sound quality.
Orion32+ is priced at $3,495 (U.S.) and Orion Studio is priced at $2,795 (U.S.) and all the specs are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Two New BenQ Projectors Launch Aimed at Home and CommercialBenQ America launched two new projectors int he form of the TH670 and MH741. Both are spec’d at 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 3,000 (TH670) or 4,000 (MH741) ANSI lumens of brightness and native 1080p resolution. The TH670 is aimed at home entertainment, while the MH741 is spec’d for medium- to large-size conference rooms, training rooms, classrooms and houses of worship. Among a variety of connectivity options including HDMI, the TH670 offers a 1.5-A USB Type-A input supplying power for accessories such as wireless dongles. In addition, for those times when the projector needs to be set at an angle from the screen, the TH670 automatically corrects the vertical trapezoidal effect.
For installation flexibility, the MH741 provides 2D keystone correction by adjusting the trapezoid effect via horizontal and vertical adjustments up to ±30 degrees. This allows the projector to be placed off center, for instance, where the presenter can stand in front of the screen without blocking the image. With corner fit geometric correction, the projector enables the picture to be perfectly aligned by adjusting each corner of the image independently. Advanced connectivity options on the MH741 include two HDMI inputs, one with MHL. With MHL presenters can project small-screen content from mobile devices to the big screen by mirroring documents, photos, videos, and presentations. Once connected, the projector supplies power to the smart device, keeping it charged while presenting.
To lower TCO, both the TH670 and MH741 feature BenQ’s SmartEco technology, which automatically adjusts lamp power to deliver bright, vibrant images with up to 10,000 and 4,500 hours of lamp life, respectively, as well as energy savings of up to 70 percent without any compromise in picture quality. To further reduce power consumption, an “Eco Blank” mode allows users to blank out the screen whenever projection isn’t needed, while a “No Source Detected” mode automatically reduces power consumption to 30% when no source has been detected for more than three minutes. With the Auto Power Off function, the projectors automatically shut down when not in use for 30 minutes. When inactive they keep power consumption to a minimum, <0.5-W standby power, for even more energy savings.
The TH670 and MH741 projectors are available now and priced at $999 and $1,899, respectively. More information is here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
PreSonus Notion for iOS Adds Handwriting and Apple Pencil SupportThe latest update to PreSonus Notion for iOS takes mobile music creation to the next level with a new in-app purchase that adds handwriting recognition for iPad users. Using a finger or stylus, you can write music in your own handwriting and see it effortlessly convert to digital notation. And with an Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro, you can even write with pressure and thickness, which gives you a much more natural feeling and even greater accuracy.
With Notion for iOS, you have your choice of easy-to-use note-entry methods. Use the onscreen fretboard, a MIDI keyboard, selecting and touching notes onto the staff, and now entry with your own handwriting — or any combination.
Notion’s handwriting recognition is powered by MyScript, the source of the world’s most advanced technology for handwriting recognition and digital ink management.
Notion for iOS is available on the Apple App Store and was recently featured as one of Apple’s “Amazing Apps for iPad Pro.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Camplex Shows Mini Fiber Optic Camera CablesCamplex just debuted its flexible Gepco mini fiber optic SMPTE camera cables with LEMO FUW/PUW connectors deployed on a rugged reel. The cable assemblies are designed for mobile truck and camera connections where smaller cables are required due to weight and space limitations, and are durable for long distances in outdoor environments when combined with the new Camplex JackReel cable reel.
The mini 7.8 mm SMPTE 311 cable assemblies feature bend insensitive fiber to reduce optical loss during handling which makes them a practical solution for use behind racks and in trucks where space is limited. The Kevlar strength member has the same pull strength as steel and is lighter and more flexible resulting in cables that lay flat and are easy to deploy.
The high capacity reel features an adjustable cam-lock drag brake for fast cable roll out and large, heavy-duty locking caster wheels. The main cable drum is engineered to protect the bend radius of fiber optic cables. A drum divider plate separates connectors and fan-outs from the main cable run during storage.
You can see them here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
elektraLite Debuts elektraBar MinielektraLite has just launched the elektraBar Mini, which is half the length of the original elektraBar — 23.6 inches (60 centimeters) versus 43 inches, basically an LED strip fixture. At the heart of the new elektraLite product are eight professional-grade, 12-watt, six-in-one LEDs capable of generating red, green, blue, white, amber and indigo. By mixing colors internally, the elektraBar Mini’s sophisticated diffraction lensing system provides perfectly blended single-color output. The inclusion of the amber component facilitates true white color toning, while the indigo component intensifies the color range for pastels and deep blues and purples.
The elektraBar Mini features individual control of each pixel, allowing for more than 16 million possible colors on the eight LED emitters. With individual control of each diode for effect sequences down to two-inch increments, the fixture’s precision spacing makes it ideal for low-resolution pixel mapping and video wall applications.
Available in 10-, 25-, 40- or 120-degree beam spreads for limitless applications, the product is also extremely efficient. Up to 16 fixtures can be connected on one 20-amp circuit and run in standalone or master/slave configurations, all with or without a control source, for fast, effective and “electric bill-friendly” operation. Furthermore, the product’s IP65/68 rating and rugged steel and aluminum build makes it a solid performer in even the most punishing environments.
The elektraBar Mini is $699. More details are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
GLP Introduces the Impression X4 Atom Light FixtureGLP’s new X4 Atom lighting fixture is IP65 rated, so it works anywhere, whether indoors or out, and all year round. The power of the Atom comes in a small package that measures less than 7 inches long and weighs under 3 pounds. It features a high powered 15-watt RGBW LED source that emits a bright beam with even color distribution across a full spectrum. Making the Atom unique in its class is a motorized zoom inside that gives a mighty 9:1 ratio, running from 3.5°-34°, and adding a huge amount of flexibility. Increasing its usability in multiple applications and further extending its uniqueness is the IP65 rating that the unit carries, allowing it to be used all year round outdoors or in.
Furthermore, the X4 Atom features a clever interlock mechanism that allows units to be built into different configurations quickly and easily. It is therefore set to benefit multiple applications from TV and film, to corporate events, set lighting and special events. Also benefiting will be concert touring stages, truss systems and architectural elements, as the interlock system quickly turns single fixtures into 4-Lites, 8-Lites or any other shape.
Control for the Atom heads is via an Atom PSU controller — starting with a 12-way, but with a six-way and other models to follow. The PSU supplies power and data down a single 4 pin XLR cable to each Atom head.
The impression X4 Atom offers other advanced features such as adjustable flicker free control, beautiful color mixing, smooth dimming without any color shift, variable speed strobe and more.
Complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
FX Luminaire Drop-in LED Lamp Converts Incandescent Fixtures to LED with Luxor CompatibilityFX Luminaire announced the release of the new ZD MR-16, a high-quality drop-in LED lamp that converts incandescent fixtures to energy-efficient LED fixtures. When connected to a Luxor ZD transformer, the ZD MR-16 adds zoning, dimming, and Wi-Fi control capabilities to any brand of low voltage incandescent landscape lighting fixture.
The ZD MR-16 is compatible with any brand of low voltage fixture that accepts an MR-16 base. It is offered in two intensities, four beam angle options: 10, 25, 35, 60, and two color temperatures: 2700 and 3900 Kelvin. It works with both the Luxor ZD and ZDC controllers.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Mackie Reach Professional PA System Now ShippingMackie today started shipping their Reach Professional PA System. Reach is an all-in-one professional PA system that delivers ultra-wide coverage, unmatched sound quality, and built-in personal monitoring. Featuring Bluetooth music streaming, a full-featured, six-channel digital mixer and a powerful control app for iOS and Android, Reach is a self-contained PA system. With Reach, users can deliver their best performance ever thanks to powerful technology like the ARC array, which provides clear, high-fidelity sound to everyone in the audience, and the built-in EarShot personal monitoring system, giving performers true, flexible stage monitoring without the need for additional speakers and miles of cables. Plus, with wireless streaming and control over the built-in six-channel digital mixer via the Mackie Connect app for iOS and Android devices, you get wireless freedom to control everything from levels, EQ and FX to sound-enhancing tools like a feedback destroyer for amazing sound in any situation.
The ARC (Amplified Radial Curve) high frequency array technology in Reach utilizes three horizontally angled high-frequency drivers paired with dual vertically spaced high-output low-frequency drivers, providing 150 degrees of coverage for optimal sound quality, even for audiences spread over a wide or deep area. Combined with the EarShot personal monitoring system, you get a total of 250 degrees of room coverage for ultimate versatility.
Equally as important to what the audience hears, is a performer’s ability to hear themselves on stage. Reach’s built-in EarShot personal monitoring system offers the perfect solution. With a powerful full-range driver on each side of Reach, performers can get clear sound on stage to deliver their best performance. It also offers independent volume control and selectable configuration for flexibility.
One of Reach’s most powerful features is complete wireless control using the Mackie Connect app, available for iOS and Android devices. The Mackie Connect app puts the user in control of everything — from simple level adjustments to control over professional performance features like three-band channel EQ, a built-in feedback destroyer, application-specific speaker voicing modes,16 vocal/instrument effects, as well as three recallable memory settings to quickly get Reach back to your favorite settings. With the built-in six-channel digital mixer, you have all the inputs, processing and control you need, making Reach the ultimate all-in-one professional PA system.
The Mackie Reach Professional PA System is now shipping for $1,249.99 and here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Video Devices Releases PIX-E Series Firmware Update V1.10Video Devices announces Firmware Version 1.10 for the PIX-E Series of 4K-compatible recording monitors. With this latest firmware update, the PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H monitors now offer higher frame rate recording via HDMI, enhanced playback capabilities, and anamorphic desqueeze. Additionally, the PIX-E5 will also offer 6G-SDI to support 4K over a single SDI cable.
With firmware v1.10, the PIX-E Series now supports the higher frame rate of 1080p 120fps for high definition recording, which is designed for capturing slow motion footage. The update also enables a 4:3 anamorphic desqueeze feature to the LCD and SDI/HDMI outputs during both monitoring input and playback. This process stretches out the horizontally squeezed images that result from cameras using anamorphic lenses, such as the Panasonic LUMIX GH4.
The firmware also includes many PIX-E Series enhancements for playback, such as 16x fast forward and 16x rewind functionality, the ability to jog through playback frame-by-frame, and shuttle in slow or fast motion. The new shuttling capability provides efficient navigation of playback forward or backward at rates from 1/8 speed to 32 times normal speed. Audio monitoring is even retained while shuttling forward from 1/8x to 2x. This update also has the ability to select next or previous recorded files from Stop by pressing Rewind or Fast Forward soft key buttons.
For the PIX-E5 monitor, v.1.10 now offers users 6G-SDI support of recording 4K over a single SDI cable for cameras like the Blackmagic URSA, plus the added ability to enable or disable a Lookup Table (LUT) on an SDI output.
On both PIX-E models, this version of firmware also features a new 3:2 pulldown removal option for input to file conversion, as well as more options for using external timecode. When set to 3:2 Pulldown, PIX-E Series monitors will automatically apply 3:2 pulldown if it detects a 3:2 cadence in an incoming 1080i 59.94 signal. External timecode options now include Linear Timecode (LTC) via the 3.5 mm line inputs, and HDMI timecode. The LTC from the line inputs may also be striped to Line In 1 or Line In 2 audio tracks.
PIX-E5 / PIX-E5H firmware v1.10 is available for download here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HOW out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
Don’t like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send 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.
Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication 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. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
To read more about my background, our team and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top |
Copyright 2015 – 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. |
|
|
|