Volume 6, Issue 9 — September 29, 2015
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Aeiforia Technos Editorial
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Cheaters Never Win
By Raymond Kent Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group
Have you heard?! Volkswagen got caught cheating on emissions tests. If you don’t know the story, basically a European clean air watchdog group looking at variations in emissions tests wanted to put to bed that VW’s diesel models were a great example of clean diesel transportation. To do this they partnered with their United States counterpart as it was felt the US emissions standards were more stringent thereby a successful test would prove their case. Not only did it backfire, but Volkswagen also admitted to installing a “defeat device” software packet into over half a million cars from 2009-2015 that automatically cheated US air pollution tests. Now they are facing billions in fines, crushing stock losses, a halt on US expansion plans, and the potential of not having any of their new vehicles certified for sale in the US.
The take away here is green washing at its finest. We have all seen a race to become “greener” than your competitor in the last several years but there needs to be merit to the data and claims and certainly cheating the system will ultimately backfire. As more and more technology gets integrated into the built environment we have to understand the methodology and metrics of claims of a product or process being green and manufacturers need to be transparent and complete about their products capabilities.
Although not specifically green technology, Extron Electronics provides a pretty good example and attitude towards transparency and metrics with its True4K Specification. This specification covers resolution, frame rate, color sampling and color bit depth in a straight forward manner that lets the consumer understand and evaluate their products based on key metrics that are important to a successful utilization. What is noteworthy is their True4K Spec is not making specific claims about their products but instead outlines (based on industry standards and metrics) what 4K technology is based on those four factors.
Similar, Crestron has made headlines by announcing itself as a third-part certifier of 4K UHD products which many manufacturers are happy to cooperate and submit their products for certification. This is based on their experience of being on the bleeding edge of the HDMI switching and distribution technology front with DigitalMedia and the challenges they felt in running ahead of the pack. To both of these companies and others in the market, transparency and protocol that can be reproducible by others is what is making this a success.
Defining green specs and following green protocols can be a daunting task by many but taking the “me too” attitude and saying “trust us” is being more heavily scrutinized in the wake of more public faux-pas like Volkswagens. A large part of this is a smarter, more informed consumer with ready access to information via the Internet. As products continue to flood the market in the ICT industry that are able to control the environment in a potentially energy efficient way, manufacturers might want to take cues from these lessons in how information has been handled and processes/protocols deployed.
Manufacturers should consider what defines expectations by the end user and show actual metrics of how they have achieved this. If they fall short it may be an opportunity to improve their product and they may be able to outline that process to the customer for future purchases. The action of not including information because it does not measure up to those expectations can, like with VW, backfire in ways that can cause potential customers from not trusting a company or products impacting their business and reputation. There certainly may be aspects of a company’s product that support elements of expectations that are more important to the end user than the environmental impact (hopefully not) but the metrics they do meet will provide some additional benefit.
If Volkswagen had looked to Chrysler/Dodge, they may have learned this. Dodge is not known for fuel efficient cars. They meet minimum required standards for fuel economy and emissions but instead look to promote their cars based on styling and power train. They are very upfront as a manufacturer that they do not have a Prius wannabe but they do have initiatives to improve economy in line with their styling and power they are known for. For the right buyer, this is more important than 70 MPG and a lack luster car with no power. VW was trying to appear as a “green alternative” to Toyota and Honda especially in a diesel market like Europe and you see the results.
The ICT industry has a good opportunity to continue to provide great quality products and energy efficiency attributes without the green washing. The proof will be in the pudding and the ingredients are listed. Leave a Comment
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Open and Closed — Brief Discussion of WolfVision and Kramer
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
Post-InfoComm, the good folks at WolfVision brought their new Cynap collaboration appliance to the office for a demo and a chat. Cynap is the latest entry into the increasingly crowded wireless collaboration space, competing with not only the WePresent and its OEM cousins (Barco Clickshare CSM, Crestron Air Media, Extron Sharepoint, etc.), but also with the purely software-based Mersive Solstice and Kramer’s software/hardware hybrid Via. Specific product capabilities aside, distinctions between these raise interesting big-picture philosophical design questions worth exploring.
The first thing that interested me is how WolfVision discusses the genesis of its collaboration appliance as an outgrowth of its well-known line of document cameras. One way for this segment to stay relevant in a world increasingly focused on digital media is to bring the collaborative tools on which we’ve come to rely to the world of physical objects; a document camera that can also share content wirelessly, annotate and even stream it to another room is a far more interesting, valuable and modern device than a document camera which simply takes a picture. With the addition of an extra video input or two, such a device might even be all one needs for a small classroom optimized for local presentations. The next logical step, of course, was to take away the camera. Again, the world is becoming digital. Some applications might still need a document camera, but there are more which will find use for the collaborative tools but NOT need to bring in physical objects.
In my mind, this leads to an obvious next question: You took the camera out of the box. Why not now take the box out of the box? Everything that the Cynap does — screen mirroring from mobile devices, whiteboarding, streaming — is, like nearly everything else we do, a software application. Why not let it be just software? It would allow an instance of Cynap to run virtually on a server in some environments, share space in a room PC with a soft-codec and other tools, or be deployed as an appliance for those cases in which an appliance is appropriate. This was not rights direction Wolfvision has chosen to take; under the hood, the Cynap is a fairly custom Linux application that they have no intention of freeing from the box. The company’s reasoning — and there is a measure of logic to this — is that it wants to ensure that users do not have a poor experience due to decisions outside of Wolfvision’s control. It is the same reason that it does not allow third-party applications to run on the device; there is some form of videoconferencing coming, but it will be a custom application with plans to cooperate with other types of endpoints over the BlueJeans network. If a user wants something else, they’ll need to work directly with Wolfvision to accommodate them.
Contrast the Kramer Via. The larger Via appliance is, under the hood, a Windows 7 machine. This means that virtually any Windows 7 application can run on it and, to varying extents, take advantage of Via’s sharing and collaborative tools. If you use Skype for Business as your communications tool, download Skype onto the Via. If you later switch to a Google Apps environment, then you can easily delete Skype and load Hangouts. Or keep both. An argument can be made that this increases the responsibilities of IT support staffs for revision control if nothing else. While this is a fair point, this is a big part of what IT staffs do. It is, perhaps, an invisible cost, but in a large enterprise environment it might be a very minor one; at a certain level of deployment it might mean little more than a slightly increased workload for existing support staff.
An appliance such as the Cynap, of course, is still software on the inside and still should have some level of support. In this case, however, support flows from the manufacturer. The rather hefty initial price-tag for the Cynap, in a traditional hardware model, included a two-year service contract. To contrast, more purely software applications might have a very low or even zero initial cost coupled with an annual license fee based on numbers of seats. This kind of solution is interesting in that it completely rewrites the usual practices of those of us in the AV business: Capability becomes more fluid, cost is better measured in operational rather than capital expenses and, ironically, a measure of customization is lost.
In case it isn’t clear, my personal bias is towards open systems and devices. Allowing third-party application invites customization, personalized decisions and leverages the countless thousands of hours many, many workers in the software industry have spent developing tools and applications. A device that can access Windows or even Android or iOS applications already has the support of large-scale developer communities, while a closed device is restricted to in-house programming staff. On the other hand, of course, I’ve had clients who prioritize reliability and consistency of experience over flexibility. This includes end users who would, in my estimation, be very well served with software solutions but have concerns about support, revision control and reliability. For such clients a closed device such as the Cynap can be an excellent fit; from the perspective of the clients’ internal support team, it’s a (literal in this case) black box that does what you want it to. Yes, they lose flexibility to add new Windows applications. With that they lose the task of managing Windows updates, security concerns and a slew of support tasks.
As I said, I have my biases. That doesn’t mean that they’re always right, and that sometimes a closed box isn’t better than an open one. Leave a Comment
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InFocus DigiEasel Whiteboard Aimed at Huddle SpacesInFocus Corporation has unveiled something they are calling DigiEasel – a line of interactive touchscreen displays designed for smaller meeting rooms and huddle spaces. The 40-inch, 1080p-resolution, 10-point touch DigiEasel has two models, which both feature built-in digital whiteboarding tools and give users display and touch control of their Windows, Mac and Chromebook devices. InFocus’ DigiEasel with LightCast technology has wireless casting abilities of another device’s screen, the ability to save and email notes and Internet browsing capabilities. InFocus is also launching DigiEasel Sign Manager, which enables DigiEasel to display an organization’s HTML5 interactive signage and stories.
InFocus is introducing two models, the DigiEasel with LightCast (INF4032) and DigiEasel (INF4030). The DigiEasel with LightCast supports casting content from Android, Windows, and Apple iOS and OSX wirelessly and has a built-in Internet Browser and can connect to a corporate network. Both models allow notebook display and control via HDMI or VGA and USB and have built-in digital whiteboarding software. Additionally, both models are edge-to-edge capacitive touchscreens that don’t require calibration, have 20-watt stereo speakers, a stylus and a tray.
When not being used for collaboration, DigiEasel owners can leverage the device as a digital interactive portrait or landscape sign (when using DigiEasel Sign Manager). The software enables customers to load and display their own customized HTML5-based content on either DigiEasel model.
DigiEasel will list for $999 and Sign Manager is $899. Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Extron Now Shipping SM 28T Two-Way Surface Mount Speaker Extron is shipping the SM 28T SpeedMount Surface Mount Speaker, a two-way speaker with a patent pending, concealed wall mounting system. It features an 8″ (20.3 cm) woofer with dual tuned ports that extends low frequency response down to 59 Hz, and a 1.1″ (2.8 cm) silk dome tweeter that reaches up to 22 kHz without the brittle sound associated with metallic domes. This speaker has an 8 ohm direct power rating of 90 watts continuous pink noise, and 180 watts continuous program capacity. It includes a six-position power tap selector, accessible through the grille, for 70 volt and 100 volt modes up to 64 watts. The SM 28T delivers accurate voice and detailed music reproduction on and off-axis through a unique baffle placement and crossover design that ensures smooth and even power response. The Extron exclusive mounting system is designed to accommodate division-of-labor installations and save costs. The SM 28T is designed for classrooms, conference rooms, exercise facilities, retail spaces, auditoriums, spaces with raised or exposed ceilings, and other environments where high performance surface mount speakers are desired.
To meet a variety of installation needs, the flexible mounting system includes a 0° mounting plate and a 10° mounting adapter. The 0° mounting plate provides the electrical connections and allows the SM 28T to be oriented vertically or horizontally, flush with the wall. When the versatile 10° mounting adapter is added to the mounting plate, the SM 28T can be positioned with a 10° tilt downward, upward, left, or right.
The SM 28T saves time and installation costs for AV system contractors working with low-voltage contractors in a division-of-labor installation. During rough-in, a low-voltage contractor installs the mounting system on the wall and terminates the speaker cable to the mount’s integrated wiring contacts. Later, the AV system contractor completes the installation by sliding the SM 28T onto the mount.
The SM 28T is sold in pairs and carries a 5 year parts and labor warranty. It is available in a black or white finish and includes a 0° mounting plate and a 10° mounting adapter. Also available is an optional yoke mount kit for the SM 28T. It allows for vertical or horizontal speaker mounting on a wall, or on a ceiling, and provides 180° of pivot in 10° detented steps.
Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Chief Adds Da-Lite’s ViewShare Fusion to Mounts Chief is adding Da-Lite’s ViewShare technology to Fusion display mounts. The new ViewShare Fusion kits include all the video conferencing accessories needed to create a bring-your-own-device video conferencing room.
ViewShare technology fills the gap between high-end video conferencing systems and personal smart devices. The solution helps meet the increased need for face-to-face meetings in today’s remote working environment.
ViewShare kits feature:
- A Fusion mountable accessory to position the integrated Logitech C930e Webcam above, below or between displays
- A Jabra SPEAK 410 MS USB speakerphone
- A Belkin powered USB hub
- Easy USB 2.0 connectivity (USB 3.0 ready)
- Components that are Skype for Business Certified, and optimized for Lync and Skype
- Fast and easy setup
The accessory works with all the new Fusion fixed and tilt mounts as well as Fusion carts and stands. An extra-large version is available for bigger displays. The extender version includes a USB to Cat5 extender with power supply for installations requiring more cable reach. Da-Lite’s ViewShare solutions can also be used for larger rooms.
For a full listing of equipment and system requirements, go here. Leave a Comment
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Comprehensive Debuts Tiny, Snagless MicroFlex Cat6 CablesComprehensive Connectivity is shipping a new cable product it’s calling MicroFlex — it’s literally a line of “snagless” patch cables that are 40 percent smaller than standard Cat6 cables. The MicroFlex Pro AV/IT CAT6 Snagless Patch Cables [MCAT6-XX PROBLK, MCAT6-XX PROBLU and MCAT6-XX PROGRY] are built using a 30 gauge twisted pair construction technique that results in up to a 40 percent reduction in outer diameter compared to standard Cat6 cables while, according to Comprehensive, providing full Cat6 bandwidth of up to 550 Mhz.
These MicroFlex Pro AV/IT CAT6 Snagless Patch Cables are designed for SMB applications as well as government, military, information technology and more. Available in three colors (gray, blue and black), it’s easy to specify signal routing for different types of signals and use their color-coding (i.e., video, audio and control each would have their own dedicated color). SureLength markers also indicate the cables length right on the cable itself making staging for installations quick and easy. All the cables have RJ45 connections and meet Category 6 568B 2.1 Draft 9 TIA/EIA standards. They are UL-rated, RoHS-compliant and include a lifetime warranty.
Here are the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Christie Captiva Is Shortest Short Throw EverChristie just launched the Captiva Series of 1-chip DLP laser/phosphor illuminated ultra short throw projectors capable of projecting 140″ diagonal in landscape or portrait mode.
With the choice of a 3,500-lumen HD 1920×1080 (DHD400S) or 1920×720 resolution, 3,000-lumen (DUW350S) aspect ratios, the Christie Captiva Series is aimed at classroom, conference room or retail environments. Based on laser phosphor illumination, these solid state lampless projectors provide 20,000 hours of lamp life.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships 15″ and 12″ Wall Mount TouchLink Pro TouchpanelsExtron has started shipping its 15″ TLP Pro 1520MG and the 12″ TLP Pro 1220MG wall mount TouchLink Pro touchpanels with capacitive, edge-to-edge glass touchscreens. As with all TouchLink Pro models, these new, customizable touchpanels feature faster processing and more memory. The capacitive touchscreens provide a more responsive control surface and both touchpanels feature video preview inputs that support high-resolution video from HDCP-compliant HDMI sources and Extron XTP devices. The convenience of PoE+ (Power over Ethernet) allows the touchpanels to receive power and communications over a single Ethernet cable. The TLP Pro 1520MG and TLP Pro 1220MG have clean, high-tech designs and features that make them ideal for control applications requiring fully-customizable touchpanels with flexible mounting options, large control surfaces, and multi-source video previews.
The TLP Pro 1520MG and TLP Pro 1220MG work in conjunction with any Extron IP Link Pro control processor and are designed for use in AV system applications that require complete, interactive control of a broad range of devices. All TouchLink Pro touchpanels operate using standard network infrastructure and are easy to install with reliable and cost effective Ethernet cable. They are customized using Extron GUI Designer software. This powerful interface design software offers ready-to-use resource kits to help design a wide variety of interfaces for rooms and presentation environments.
To get all the specs, go here. Leave a Comment
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Epson Expands Affordable VS-Series Projector LineupEpson today introduced three new VS-Series projectors – the VS240 (800 x 600), VS340 (1024 x 768) and VS345 1280 x 800). All are 3LCD projectors aimed at small- to medium-sized conference rooms for an affordable price. All three models enable fast and easy setup with auto vertical correction and Easy-slide Horizontal image correction. The VS-Series also supports HDMI, the digital connectivity standard, for compatibility with laptops and media players. All three are spec’d at 3000 lumens, have HDMI and VGA ports and include an integrated EcoMode.
The VS240 is here, the VS340 is here and the VS345 is here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships Three New 4K Switchers for DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA
The Extron DTP T DSW 4K 233 and DTP T DSW 4K 333 are three-input switchers for sending DisplayPort, HDMI or analog video, audio and control over a shielded CATx cable to Extron DTP-enabled products. The DTP T DSW 4K 233 extends signals up to 230 feet (70 meters), while the DTP T DSW 4K 333 extends signals up to 330 feet (100 meters). They provide DisplayPort, HDMI, and VGA inputs, and one DTP output. The DTP T DSW 4K models support video resolutions up to 4K, including 2560×1600 and 1080p/60 Deep Color. Analog stereo audio embedding and RS232 remote control facilitate integration in professional environments. Integrator-friendly features include EDID Minder, auto-switching between inputs, audio input assignment, and bidirectional RS‑232 and IR pass-through for remote AV device control.
The low profile enclosure and remote power capability enable placement in lecterns or even mounted beneath tables. Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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EIKI Debuts 12K Lumen EK-800U DLP Projector Capable of Projecting in Portrait Mode
Eiki International has just launched its new EK-800U single chip DLP projector specified at 12,000 ANSI Lumen brightness and a 5,000:1 (DA:ON) contrast ratio. The WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution EK-800U inputs include VGA, HDMI, HDBaseT and 3G HD-SDI.
Integrated with powered zoom and focus as well as vertical and horizontal lens shift (V: +- 60%, H: +/- 25%), the new model also has image blending, warping, color matching and it can be mounted to show content in portrait mode.
The EIKI EK-800U will ship in late October and will list for $19,995. More information is here. Leave a Comment
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Auralex Is Now Shipping Its Sustain v2 Bamboo Sound Diffusors Auralex Acoustics is now shipping enhanced “v2” models of the acclaimed and popular Sustain Bamboo Sound Diffusors.
According to Auralux, these handmade, environmentally friendly bamboo sound diffusors offer increased performance over previous models as they feature sharper angles and a new construction method that enhances the performance these diffusors are known for.
In addition to enhanced v2’s of the popular Sustain Prism, Sustain Lens, Sustain QuadraTec and Sustain Pyramid, Auralex is offering the new Sustain Metro Bamboo diffusor. The Sustain Metro adds a contemporary cityscape aesthetic to your space, while its exacting design eliminates flutter echoes and evenly disperses acoustical energy throughout your environment.
Auralex Sustain v2 Bamboo Sound Diffusors Features:
- Material: Environmentally Friendly Bamboo is sustainably grown and harvested
- Optional Absorption and Advanced Diffusion: Can be back-filled with Mineral Fiber or Studiofoam
- Sizes: 23-inch x 23-inch (Depth varies depending on model)
- Mounting: Wall, ceiling or drop grid mounting options (model-dependent)
- Finish: Natural Bamboo
- Mathematically and geometrically engineered for optimized diffusion characteristics
Here is more information. Leave a Comment
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Toshiba Introduces its First 960H Video Surveillance Cameras
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
Toshiba Surveillance & IP Video Products has embraced new 960H analog technology alongside its IP network-focused product portfolio by introducing today its first 960H dome cameras.
Providing a thirty percent increase in resolution over comparatively priced D1 analog cameras, the new IKS-D207 (indoor) and IKS-R307 (outdoor) cameras incorporate a 960 x 640 CCD sensor to achieve a wide-screen picture that does not require stretching to fit HDTVs or monitors. Both provide insurance against risks such as property damage, vandalism, theft and burglary.
Incorporating similar dome designs and feature sets, both cameras deliver superior 700TVL (TV lines) for amazingly sharp, color accurate video plus 24 IR LEDs to accommodate night time conditions down to 0.05 lux. The domes also offer 4x zoom, 78° tilt and full 360° rotation to accurate track objects of interest. The more rugged of the pair, the outdoor IKS-R307, is IK10 vandal resistant and features a built-in heater that keeps the camera secure down to -49°F.
All the tech specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Epson Expands EX-Series Projector Lineup with Sub- $1,000 Pro Series Epson today introduced new Pro series portable projectors including the EX9200 Pro (WUXGA) and the EX7240 Pro (WXGA ) models. In addition, Epson introduced an EX3240, a portable version. All three models are spec’d at 3,200 lumens, a 10,000 hour lamp life and native HD (1080 or 720) display capability.
The EX9200 Pro is a native 1920×1200 resolution 3LCD projector while the EX7240 is a 1280×800 resolution 3LCD. Both projectors include HDMI and MHL ports as well as wireless projection and quick control features including Instant Off – which quickly powers down the projector with no cool down time; Sleep Mode (A/V Mute) pauses the presentation without turning off the projector; and Direct Power Off/On delivers wall switch power control.
The $799 EX9200 Pro is here, the $649 EX7240 is here and the portable $449 EX3240 is here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Intros DXP 4K HDMI Matrix Series with Audio De-EmbeddingExtron has launched a new DXP HD 4K Series of high performance HDMI matrix switchers for resolutions up to 4K, including 1080p/60 with Deep Color. They are HDCP compliant, and support HDMI data rates to 10.2 Gbps, Deep Color up to 12-bit, 3D and HD lossless audio formats. Extron technologies such as SpeedSwitch, Key Minder, and EDID Minder, along with automatic input cable equalization and output reclocking, ensure dependable system operation with exceptional switching speeds and compatibility between devices. The matrix switchers also feature built-in de-embedding, enabling digital audio from any input to be assigned to the digital or analog stereo outputs for streamlined integration. They are available in I/O sizes from 4×4 to 16×16.
Several Extron technologies included with the DXP HD 4K Series simplify integration of HDMI-enabled devices. EDID Minder automatically manages EDID by maintaining continuous EDID communication with each source, ensuring that sources power up properly and reliably output content for display. For HDMI signals with protected content. Key Minder authenticates and maintains continuous HDCP encryption to support reliable switching while enabling simultaneous distribution of a single source signal to one or more displays, and SpeedSwitch Technology provides ultra-fast switching of encrypted signals.
The DXP HD 4K Series also switches embedded digital audio from HDMI source signals, along with the corresponding video, to any or all of the selected outputs. To further streamline integration, de-embedded audio can be routed to digital or analog stereo audio outputs to support a separate sound system. The technologies and capabilities built into DXP HD 4K Series ensure high performance AV signal routing, with a fully digital pathway that maintains the highest possible audio and image quality for multiple sources and displays.
All the tech details are here. Leave a Comment
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NEC Debuts New M Series NEC Display just announced a new generation of M Series short-throw projectors that are aimed at collaboration application. Using the latest DLP technology from Texas Instruments, the 3,300-lumen M333XS and 3,500-lumen M353WS models deliver contrast ratio specs at 10,000:1, are filter free, and have 0.6:1 and 0.48:1 throw ratios, respectively.
Environmentally-friendly features include ECO Mode with ambient light sensor, which increases lamp life up to 8,000 hours, while lowering power consumption, as well as quick start (3 to 4 seconds) and auto power on via the RGB input connector. A carbon savings meter calculates the positive effects of operating the projectors in ECO Mode.
Software lets K-12, higher education and business users network their projectors for easier management and control. The Image Express Utility Lite function allows up to 16 devices – from PCs, tablets and smart phones – to be wirelessly connected to each projector concurrently. Thumbnail images give presenters easy visibility to each participating device so they can easily toggle between sources.
The projectors also include NEC DisplayNote Software, an app that lets leaders and participants present, share and annotate content from any platform or device so their notes are automatically saved. Additional DisplayNote licenses are available for purchase.
The M333XS and M353WS projectors include the following features:
- XGA and WXGA native resolutions, respectively
- DLP engine, featuring BrilliantColor Technology
- HDMI 3D display up to 144Hz
- DICOM display mode
- Dual HDMI inputs to connect to multiple external devices
- Automatic keystone correction technology, which instantly projects a square image even when the projector is set up at a steep offset angle to the screen
- Sealed optics engine
- 20-watt speaker
- Microphone input
- Low power consumption (0.2W in stand-by mode), which minimizes energy costs
- Optional interactive camera module (NP03Wi) and wireless dongle (NP05LM1)
The NP-M333XS is here.
The NP-M353WS is here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships XTP II CrossPoint Matrix Switcher – World’s First 50 Gbps BackplaneExtron just started shipping the new XTP II CrossPoint 6400 matrix switcher with a 50 Gbps digital switching backplane that delivers the highest level of performance in the Pro AV industry. The XTP II enables the deployment of an AV system infrastructure with a switching bandwidth that exceeds the data rate required to distribute 4K/60 video with 4:4:4 chroma sampling at 16 bits per color. These matrix switchers can be configured with a variety of boards, including any of the existing products in the XTP Systems family and the new series of XTP 4K fiber optic boards and endpoints. XTP II is the definitive AV industry standard you can depend on now and in the future to meet the challenges of 4K and beyond.
XTP Systems provide a completely integrated switching and distribution solution for multiple digital and analog formats. They support local connectivity, as well as extended transmission capability to send video, audio, bidirectional RS‑232 and IR, and Ethernet up to 330 feet (100 meters) over a shielded CATx cable, and even greater distances over fiber optic cabling. The larger matrix switcher sizes up to 64×64 provide a wide range of possibilities for new applications and system upgrades to support emerging video standards and formats.
Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Altinex Expands ShareTime LineAltinex has expanded the ShareTime collaboration product line with the ShareTime HDMI Cable (CB300-101), the ShareTime 4×1 HDMI switcher (UT260-041) and the ShareTime Collaboration Package (UT100-041).
The Altinex ShareTime HDMI Cable is marketed as a display controller that enables display control using a ShareTime controller and cable in a single assembly. Multiple ShareTime HDMI cables enable several users to connect to a single display and work together as they switch between sources.
The HDMI cable is flat, 10-feet in length, and Altinex says it contains a built-in amplifier to maintain HDMI signal integrity. In a typical application, users connect the flat HDMI cable to a monitor input and then connect the other end of the cable to the source, such as a laptop computer. Any number of ShareTime units can be used together to form a collaboration environment with a single multi-input video display.
The Altinex ShareTime under table 4×1 HDMI switcher is a four-input by one-output HDMI switcher with HDCP repeater functions. The system supports all 3D TV formats in addition to all HDTV formats up to 1080p 12-bit Deep Color. The switcher has four ways of switching inputs: auto-switching — last laptop plugged in gets the display, by input select button on the chassis itself, by IR remote control or in use with ShareTime controllers.
The ShareTime Collaboration Package is a system that includes four CB300-101 HDMI ShareTime Cables and one UT260-041 HDMI 4×1 switcher.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition 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).
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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
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