|
Volume 6, Issue 3 — March 26, 2012
|
| | |
| | |
InfoComm Live – It’s a Wrap
By Joel Rollins
rAVe Columnist As I have mentioned on our blog in the past week, I was in DC last week for the inaugural InfoComm event for the live events industry, the one they entitled “InfoComm Live.” It was billed as InfoComm’s way to bring together “thought leaders” from the rental and staging industry, to discuss the state, and the future, of the industry.
First of all, I question the idea of our portion of the industry actually having such leaders. Like Groucho Marx, I try not to join any group that would have me. But enough of disparaging my friends and fellow attendees; some of them are actually pretty smart.
Now on to the event itself. Because, personally, I think the event was about more than the future of our portion of the industry. It was about the future of our industry with InfoComm. It is no secret to my readers that I have complained about InfoComm’s loss of focus on the rental portion of the industry, and that I am not the only one who felt that way. So I was really, really thrilled to see the association (one I devoted a lot of years of teaching and advocacy to) put on such an event.
Without further ado, let me give you some of the highlights of the event.
First, in the true spirit of the staging industry, we opened with loud music and an accompanying opening graphics presentation of flying 3D graphics that read "Reach Higher," "Do More" and, probably, "Be The Ball". It was really thought-provoking to be on the audience side of a "3D Parade of Cliches" opener for a change. They always make me think of what a good job the salesperson did, except, of course, that this one introduced Duffy Wilbert.
Then, as with all business conferences, there were a series of business presentations, covering a number of topics of interest to the staging industry. Among the highlights for me was an excellent (and I do mean excellent) presentation on handling generational issues in the workplace.
I will admit that for a lot of the presentations portion I felt them to be similar to those we sit through as the operators of events — well presented but generic as to the business they were aimed at. The notable exception was a presentation on the value proposition in the rental industry, because it was given by one of our own, Tom Stimson. I came expecting to see content specific to the unique challenges of the rental industry, and this one didn't disappoint, and my hat's off to Tom for a well-thought-out and relevant piece.
I could go on about the details of the event, and some humorous tales about things like the scavenger hunt at the International Spy Museum, where most of the teams wandered around uncertain of what to do, and sharing stories about business while we were supposed to be sticking little dots on each other for some reason I have yet to comprehend. But I could have told the organizers that trying to conduct such an event with this group was going to be like herding cats anyway. Plus, it gave yours truly a chance to wander around and talk to Randy Lemke, (who will be retiring this year, and will be sorely missed by the association and the industry it serves) about the association, and the future of the rental segment. And, when I think of it, maybe those discussions are what the staff actually meant to happen there, anyway, and if so, they succeeded.
Was the event a success? Yes, in my opinion, it was. It accomplished a number of things. It signaled InfoComm's continued interest in providing content and services specific to the rental and staging portion of the industry. The staff was there to listen, and to communicate their recent efforts and goals, and we were there to talk to them, and each other, about where our industry stands. I think both groups took away the biggest benefit of the whole event just from that. Plus, it gave a big group of us, scattered from around the country, a chance to come together and talk about our businesses and our craft. And no event when you do that could possibly fail. Put this group in a room and we already HAVE plenty of content. Bring more than that and you're my hero, but that is really all it takes. The association now employs a number of people with a lot of expertise on the rental field, and they should be listened to when it comes to content for this kind of event. But, nitpicking aside, the staff did a great job of communicating their interest in us a a group. I don't have space here to thank them individually, although I could, but I'd also be afraid of missing somebody, so suffice it to say that they all have my thanks, and I believe the thanks of all the attendees.
If you are interested in seeing the event, they've posted some great pics here:
InfoComm International Audiovisual (AV) InfoComm Live
My last remaining question so I can finish this article: Does anybody know the correct spelling for kumbayah?
rAVe Rental [and Staging] contributor Joel R. Rollins, CTS-R, is General Manager of Everett Hall Associates, Inc. and is well known throughout the professional AV industry for his contributions to industry training and his extensive background in AV rental, staging and installation. Joel can be reached at joelrollins@mac.com
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top |
Click here for more information |
PreSonus Ships BlueTube DP V2 and TubePre V2 Tube Preamps PreSonus is now shipping new and improved versions of two of its classic tube preamplifiers, the BlueTube DP V2 and TubePre V2.
The BlueTube DP V2 is a dual-path mic/instrument preamp. The solid-state path feeds PreSonus' Class A XMAX mic preamplifier with 80 dB of variable gain — an upgrade from the original BlueTube DP. The tube path features a 12AX7 tube that operates on voltages double that of most other preamplifiers. The Tube Drive enables you to achieve anything from gentle warmth to edgy distortion. You also get 48V phantom power, an 80 Hz high-pass filter, -20 dB pad and polarity reverse.
With two combo mic/instrument inputs, the half-rack space BlueTube DP V2 is designed for guitars as well as vocals and lists for $229.
Housed in a third-rack space case, the TubePre V2 rear panel has separate unbalanced, ¼" instrument and balanced, XLR mic inputs and unbalanced ¼" and balanced XLR line outputs. The front panel offers controls for gain, 48V phantom power, 80 Hz high-pass filter, and polarity-reverse, as well as a mic/instrument input switch. It lists for $129.
All the specs are here: http://www.presonus.com/
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top |
Click here for more information |
Hosa Ships Pro Speaker Cables for Live Events Hosa Technology's new Pro Speaker Cables integrated with REAN connectors by Neutrik are now shipping. These cables feature 14 AWG Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) conductors and a black PVC jacket for low visibility on stage, plus Loudspeaker and ¼ inch TS connectors as well as Neutrik brand connectors.
According to Hosa, Rean Loudspeaker connectors by Neutrik AG incorporate silver-plated contacts for superior signal transfer, a glass-reinforced housing for rock-solid reliability, a robust, twist-lock mating system for secure connectivity and chuck-type strain relief for maximum cable retention. The ¼-inch TS connectors include nickel-plated contacts for efficient signal transfer and rugged durability, a zinc die-cast housing for superb reliability, crimp-type strain relief for larger-diameter cable and rubber boot kink protection to ensure long cable life.
Hosa Pro Speaker Cables are available in 3-, 5-, 10-, 25-, 50- and 100-foot lengths. Configurations include Loudspeaker to Loudspeaker, Loudspeaker to ¼-inch TS and ¼-inch TS to ¼-inch TS. Pricing ranges from $15 to $168.
Full specs are here: http://www.hosatech.com/
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Premier Intros Video Wall Stand Premier Mounts showed its version of Modular Video Wall stands in the form of the MVWS-2X2-4655 and MVWS-3X3-46, designed for 46- and 55-inch thin bezel flat-panel displays.
Both the MVWS-2X2-4655 four-screen and the MVWS-3X3-46 nine-screen seamlessly set up and break down for easy shipping, handling and moving. The 1/2-13 bolts make rapid setup and breakdown possible since they require no special tools. These bolts provide a sustainable foundation for the structure, as they can withstand rough handling and are not easily stripped.
Attachment of separately sold headers (MVWS-2X2-4655-HDR or MVWS-3X3-46-HDR) and removal of the base allows the structure to be raised into the air and suspended by cables. Because the system is bolted together with the 1/2-13 bolts, it is possible to remove the legs when flying the system.
If you wan to learn more, go to: http://www.mounts.com
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top |
Click here for more information |
Atlas Sound Purchases A-Line Acoustics Yesterday Atlas Sound acquired A-Line Acoustics, a company known for its non-powered speaker systems with an emphasis on line array gear. A-Line will be incorporated into the Atlas Sound family of products under the Atlas A-Line Acoustics product category.
A-Line Acoustics was founded in 2001 by Tony Faranda and is known for high-end speaker systems for arenas, amphitheaters, parks, nightclubs and houses of worship. Atlas says A-Line holds multiple patents including the innovative EZAL rigging system, which allows the angle adjustment of individual line array speaker cabinets while the speakers are flown or ground stacked under load.
All of A-Line's products will be folded into the Atlas brand and the products will be made available to select Atlas Sound dealers and distributors beginning July 2012.
To see the entire A-Line product lineup, go here: http://www.a-lineacoustics.com/
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Lightware Adds 3G-SDI Board Lightware has announced a new 3G-SDI board, the MX-3GSDI-IB, which accepts SD-SDI, HD-SDI and 3G-SDI video signals with embedded audio on BNC connectors (remember those?). Each channel also incorporates an SDI/HDSDI/3GSDI to HDMI/DVI conversion for switching and processing in the router frame and the SDI input signals are equalized and reclocked. The card also has an additional digital audio input connector (RCA) accepting AES/EBU or S/PDIF digital audio per channel. Both Stereo PCM and 5.1 AC3 encoded formats are supported and are embedded into the video stream. Each input port contains a mini 16×8 channel audio crosspoint that allows de-embedding of up to 16 PCM audio channels from the SDI signal, switching them and re-embedding up to 8 audio channels onto the HDMI stream. Either SDI audio or S/PDIF audio can be embedded, although converting or mixing them is not possible.
Here are the complete specs: http://www.lightwareusa.com/products/by-function/modular-matrix-boards/734-mx-3gsdi-ib
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Premier Premiers 2×2 Mobile Video Wall Mount Premier Mounts introduced yesterday the mobile Video Wall Mount MVWC-2X2 at the DSE show, which the company claims can be assembled and ready for displays in 30 minutes or less. The mobile video wall cart can accommodate flat-panel displays ranging from 40" up to 65". It also includes heavy duty casters, a solid bottom skirt and tray to store and protect AV or IT equipment to drive the displays, and easy to install mounting brackets.
Here are all the specs: http://www.mounts.com/product?product=MVWS-2X2-4655
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top |
Click here for more information |
PreSonos Adds Features to Mixers PreSonus has announced new updates to its StudioLive series of digital mixers including QMix, Smaart and Universal Control.
- QMix allows up to 10 musicians to simultaneously control their PreSonus StudioLive monitor using the iPhone or iPod touch QMix App – a free download from the Apple App Store.
- Smaart Engine Technology allows users to be able to precisely identify nasty feedback frequencies and get your loudspeakers to play nicer with the room-all without having a degree in acoustical engineering.
- Universal Control features an improved version of Virtual StudioLive that supports the new QMix iPhone app, including QMix permissions (so that each user controls only one specified aux mix) and the ability to name aux buses.
For complete specs, go to: http://www.presonus.com/products/productListing.aspx?ListingType=9
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top projectiondesign Ships Entry-Level F21 projectiondesign just started shipping its entry-level F21 install projector this week. The F21 is a single-chip DLP that's native 1080p, includes lens shift and zoom with a 1.60 – 2.21 throw ratio, uses a 220-watt UHP lamp and has inputs for DVI, VGA and HDMI signals. The network-controllable F21 weighs about 8 pounds and claims 3,000 ANSI lumens in brightness and a 2500:1 contrast ratio. It's aimed a small classrooms and meeting rooms.
Complete specs are here: http://www.projectiondesign.com/products/f21-series
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top Extron Ships 800-Watt Energy Star Amps Extron announced yesterday that it's started to ship the XTRA Series XPA 4002-70V two channel power amplifier. This 1U, convection cooled amplifier delivers 400 watts rms per channel for 70 volt distributed speakers. It uses a new advanced Class D amplifier design using Extron's patented CDRS – Class D Ripple Suppression technology that the company says provides a smooth, clean audio waveform and an improvement in signal fidelity over conventional Class D amplifiers. The XPA 4002-70V is half the size of comparable amplifiers, conserving rack space and weighing only 9 lbs (4 kg). The high efficiency design generates very little heat and allows the amplifier to be convection cooled.
The XPA 4002-70V includes an auto power-down feature that automatically places the amplifier into standby after a period of inactivity, and consumes 30 watts or less when idle and less than 1 watt in standby mode. It also has an ultra low inrush current draw to prevent power circuit overload that occurs when multiple amplifiers are switched on simultaneously. This feature eliminates the need for power sequencing in systems with multiple amplifiers in large centralized equipment racks, and prevents other equipment from experiencing power interruption from associated power surges. Additionally, the XPA 4002-70V amplifier features very low thermal dissipation under full load, which keeps racks and equipment cabinets cool.
To see all the specs, go here: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=xpa4002&s=0
Leave a Comment
Share Article Back to Top For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe Rental [and Staging] 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% opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the rental and staging industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions — in this case, it’s industry-veteran Joel Rollins' 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
rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA, launched in February, 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. rAVe Ed [Education] launched in May 2008. rAVe DS [Digital Signage] was launched in January of 2009.
To read more about my background, our team, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top Copyright 2012 – 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 Rental [and Staging] contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
|
|
|