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Volume 7, Issue 3 — March 19, 2013
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The More Things Change
By Joel Rollins
rAVe Columnist Well, as some of you know from the blog, I am just back from the annual InfoComm Live event in Dallas. While my blog entry was written immediately following the event, largely while on a very frightening airplane ride through winter storm Saturn, I have now had more time to reflect on this year’s event, and the industry that is its subject.
First, let me say how much I enjoyed the event again this year. I have been in the rental and staging end of our industry for almost 30 years now, and InfoComm Live is probably one of the best ideas I have seen during that time. While in my blog entry I commented on the event itself and its logistics, let me now regale you with some of the thoughts on the industry that the event has produced.
Leadership group older than I remember
One of the very first things that I noticed was that many of the people in the room with me are the same people I have associated with the rental and staging business for the last 30 years. When I first got involved in the industry, rental and staging was very much a young person’s game. Most of the leaders of the industry that I am familiar with were coming into the business around that period of time, as our business changed from film-based media to electronic media. Many of those people, with whom I shared some jokes about the leadership of our industry, are now the leaders of the industry themselves. And while we are still telling the same jokes, we now tell them with a lot more respect for the gray-haired leaders of the business. This is not to say that there are not new and dynamic young leaders in the rental business. I met a few of them at the event and the mix in the group produced a lot of really interesting conversations. However, in the rental business, 50 really does seem to be the new 30.
Still an expensive game to play in
The second thing that I noticed was that we still complain about the cost of inventory, even though the price of most things has actually come down considerably over the last decade, especially when you consider the move to less expensive panels and projectors. But we now deal with a new issue — a highly increased rate of obsolescence. It seems that we no sooner get an item into inventory when its replacement is announced. That fact, along with clients increased awareness of how quickly those models turnover, has kept rental and staging an expensive environment in which to do business.
The big getting bigger
When you add those two factors together, it is not surprising that many rental and staging companies are growing rapidly in size. In any industry, economies of scale are there to be had, and we seem to be experiencing a robust rental environment, that makes those economies of scale attractive. For the last few years, we in the rental business have played our cards close to our chest, reluctant to expand for fear of what the economy would do. There is still a certain amount of that in the market, but at least among the people that I talked to at InfoComm Live, there is now a great deal of optimism.
The talent even harder to find, from different disciplines
Yet another thing that has not changed is the difficulty of finding qualified employees, or of producing them. When I entered this business, it was a very exciting place for a young person to be, because it was on the forefront of a revolution in electronics. There are now many of those revolutions going on and we compete with all of them for young talent. Combine this with the rising cost of personnel, and of their benefits, and of their training, and it is no surprise that the number that concerns most rental companies is payroll.
Changing nature of the show
Another big topic of the water cooler conversations, as I call them, was the changing mix of skills required to put on today’s show. In fact, one of the best discussions, held over lunch, had to do with the idea that we are redefining what a show is. For instance, in many cities, the general observation was that the number of people attending shows had gone down somewhat, while the overall size of the show had increased due to remote attendance. Those of you who work shows will understand that this changes the way a show operates. It means that we have to balance things like camera angles and audio systems between the needs of remote attendees and the needs of our local audience. These concerns cross everything from the way an audience is seated, the location of screens, and the composition of support graphics. So the skills required to run a show are changing.
What does this mean to those of us in the industry?
It means that the rental industry remains a dynamic and ever-changing business. It means that we continue to be the place where our industry tries out new ideas because it is the part of the business that most embraces them.
The difficulties that I speak of here are no different than they have been in the rental business in the three decades that I have been involved. To those of us who understand the way this market works they are not just difficulties they are opportunities.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
rAVe Rental [and Staging] contributor Joel R. Rollins, CTS, 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
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SI Ships FlexGlass Flexible Rear-Projection Screen Material Screen Innovations' new FlexGlass is a flexible rear-projection screen material that claims to offer all of the benefits of the best rigid optical panels with the benefit of custom and curve capabilities that can only be achieved with a flexible screen material. With edge-blend capability and claiming a zero hotspot with infinite viewing angles (and the ability to be rolled on a two-foot core) FlexGlass is aimed at multiple-projector, edge blending, and short throw projector applications.
See how FlexGlass works here: http://www.screeninnovations.com/screen-materials/flexglass-rear-pro/ |
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Behringer Ships XENTYX Control1USB Behringer is now shipping its XENYX CONTROL1USB — a high-resolution USB Audio Interface with studio-grade switching and control functionality aimed at command center for professional broadcast or recording/project studios.
Thanks to the built-in mic, the engineer can easily communicate with artists, plus select between analog sources and USB for ultimate flexibility when routing audio to monitors. Behringer says a centrally-located "really big" illuminated Volume knob provides high-precision level adjustments, making XENYX CONTROL1USB the go-to choice for audio mastering and AV post production projects.
XENYX CONTROL1USB's rear panel boasts USB connectivity and multiple inputs and outputs, including three separate monitor outputs; a computer/DAW stereo output; two-track A and B stereo outs; L/R studio outs; 1 stereo out to connect external headphone amplifiers; four independent stereo inputs, including one that doubles as a phono input with high-end RIAA preamp; and a computer/DAW mix input — all with individual Level controls/switches.
The XENYX CONTROL1USB will list for $199.99 and specs can be found here: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Home.aspx
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Share Article Back to Top Extron Now Shipping Select DMP 128 Audio DSP Models with Dante Extron is shipping the DMP 128 AT and DMP 128 C AT audio digital signal processors with Dante network connectivity from Audinate. Both DMP 128 models are 12×8 audio mixers featuring Extron ProDSP, automixing and I/O expansion capabilities. The DMP 128 C AT version also features AEC — acoustic echo cancellation. DMP 128 AT models feature a 56 input by 24 output expansion matrix, providing efficient scalability for creating larger audio matrices over a local area network using standard Internet Protocols. A built-in four-port Gigabit switch provides direct interconnection of multiple DMP 128 AT units. The award-winning DMP 128 Series offers a configuration approach to DSP that simplifies mixing, routing, conferencing and room optimization. Quick and intuitive configuration using the DSP Configurator Software allows the DMP 128 to be installed in very little time, with easy-to-learn adjustments that can be heard in real-time.
DMP 128 AT models provide scalable audio transport over a local area network using standard Internet protocols. Each processor sends out 24 channels of 24-bit/48 kHz digital audio and can receive 56 channels over the network. A built-in four-port Gigabit switch also provides direct interconnection of multiple DMP 128 AT units to create larger, cost-effective audio matrixes. Dante technology distributes a virtually unlimited 512×512 audio channels at 24-bit/48 kHz over a single Gigabit Ethernet link, or 48×48 audio channels at 24-bit/48 kHz over a single 100 Mbps Ethernet link, plus integrated control data with extremely low latency. Both Dante and the DMP 128 AT processor's four-port switch are AVB – Audio Video Bridging ready.
The DMP 128 features Extron ProDSP, engineered from the ground up using a powerful 64-bit floating point DSP engine and studio grade 24-bit converters with 48 kHz sampling. ProDSP is managed by the intuitive DSP Configurator Software, featuring an easy-to-use GUI that allows for complete audio system visualization within a single window. All DMP 128 models include an automixer with gated and gain sharing modes for managing up to eight groups of microphone signals. Select DMP 128 processors feature Extron AEC with eight independent channels of high performance, fast echo cancellation for optimal intelligibility in conferencing applications.
Here are the specs: http://www.extron.com/company/article.aspx?id=dmp128ad&s=sl01
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ShowKube Unveils 4K Video Processor & Media Server ShowKube's Kshow is a video processing system for projection that integrates a live mixer, a timeline and a 4K media server into one package. Designed for live-events multi-image processing, Kshow features a Linux-based 4U rack-mountable processor and all the workflows needed to prepare a show using its show driver, screen and layout editors and a flexible timeline.
Kshow claims that it makes it easy to adjust media for optimal projection on a diverse selection of screen shapes using edge blending and geometric corrections such as keystone, warping and mapping. It also features advanced live video source mixing with real time effects and transformations. Other features include:
- Different video frame rates on a same screen composition
- Management of synchronous and asynchronous video inputs
- Unlimited windows cloning option
- Advanced Media Manager with multiple effects (trimming, cropping, bright, glow, etc…)
- Real time and independent adjustment of video outputs for keystone, warping, mapping, color correction and other effects
- Management of windows (mask) and content layer (texture) from the timeline
- Input resolutions from video to 1920×1200 and output native is 4096×2160 and can be mapped to 8182×8192.
ShowKube Kshow has two HD/SDI inputs, two DVI/VGA inputs and one streaming (network video) port and outputs on six DisplayPorts with three management preview ports. Here are all the specs: http://www.showkube.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Kshow_Brochure_web.pdf
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Share Article Back to Top Extron Announces SDI, HD-SDI and 3G-SDI Input Capabilities for Quantum Series Videowall Processors Extron's new two input 3G-SDI Card for the Quantum Elite videowall processing system accepts SDI, HD-SDI and 3G-SDI signals. The new 3G-SDI input card features Extron high performance scaling technology, motion adaptive deinterlacing and film mode cadence detection to ensure high quality image presentation on videowall displays. Automatic source format detection captures 480i and 576i SDI sources, HD-SDI sources up to 1080i/60 Hz and 3G-SDI sources up to 1080p/60 Hz, complying with SMPTE 259M, 292M and 424M digital video standards. SDI, HD-SDI and 3G-SDI input support is also available for the Quantum Connect videowall processing system.
Extron says that Extron Quantum Series videowall processing systems deliver reliable multi-image presentations intended for demanding, mission-critical environments. They feature high performance graphics and video processing and a dedicated high-speed video bus that maintains real-time performance under heavy input loads. Quantum Series processors can simultaneously display hundreds of windows of high quality graphics and video, making them ideal for medium to large videowall systems in environments including public spaces, corporate buildings, surveillance, visualization and command and control.
To view a product video and for more information, please visit http://www.extron.com/quantumsdipr
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NEC Display Adds LED-Backlit V463 LCD to V Series NEC Display announced today its latest addition to its commercial-grade V Series, the V463 display, which offers an LED-backlight, slimmer cabinet depth and an OPS-compliant expansion slot.
The V463 includes the following features:
- LED backlighting technology for reduced power consumption
- Commercial-grade LCD panel and components, which enable extended run times
- 1920 x 1080 full HD native resolution, which provides stunning clarity
- 350/500 cd/m² brightness (typical/maximum) and 4000:1 contrast ratio for vivid imagery
- DisplayPort, HDMI, DVI-D (in/out), VGA 15 pin D-sub (Composite, Component, S-Video), which enable connectivity to a wide range of peripherals
- RS-232C, Ethernet (RJ45), IR Remote, DDC/CI for external control
- Built-in, 10-watt speakers enhance the experience with superior sound
- TileMatrix, which facilitates video walls up to 10×10
- Built-in ATSC digital tuner, which allows for high-definition broadcast capabilities (V463-AVT model only)
- Bundled solution, which includes a V463 display and single board computer (OPS-PCAF-WS) for simple digital signage (V463-PC model only)
- Optional accessories, including speakers, stand, a variety of internal and external computers, digital tuner, calibration kit and wall mount
The V463 display is available at a minimum advertised price of $1,199. The V463-AVT and V463-PC models are priced at $1,399 and $1,949, respectively.
Click below to learn more about each model.
V463: http://www.necdisplay.com/p/v463
V463-AVT: http://www.necdisplay.com/p/v463-avt
V463-PC: http://www.necdisplay.com/p/product-bundles/v463-pc
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Share Article Back to Top Dante Virtual Soundcard V3.2.0 Just Released with WDM Support Audinate has announced enhancements to its Dante Virtual Soundcard software for Windows. The Dante Virtual Soundcard allows your PC or Mac to connect your preferred audio application directly to a Dante audio network. Dante Virtual Soundcard uses the standard Ethernet port on your computer to communicate with a network of other Dante enabled devices — no special hardware is required.
With the new Windows Driver Model (WDM) mode in V3.2.0, Dante Virtual Soundcard for Windows now adds support for applications including iTunes, Windows Media Player, Skype and more. PC users can play out or record audio from these applications with professional sound quality.
Additional features:
- Choice of 64×64 ASIO or 8×8 WDM mode (presents as four stereo Windows WDM soundcards)
- Choice of 44.1kHz or 48kHz sample rate in WDM mode
- Windows 8 32- and 64 bit support
- Integrated online help
- Installation of Apple Bonjour service no longer required
- Clock performance improvements
Download Dante Virtual Soundcard V3.2.0 for Windows at the Audinate website: http://www.audinate.com/DanteVirtualSoundcard
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Share Article Back to Top Extron Announces VNS 104 Multi-Stream Decoding Software Extron's new VNS 104 Multi-Stream Decoding Software decodes and presents one or four video sources and one associated stereo audio source streamed from VN-Matrix 225 or 200 Series Encoders and VN-Matrix Recorder. VNS 104 multi-stream decoding software includes text overlay and status messaging features, which are valuable for distinguishing between AV sources during operation and system commissioning.
VNS 104 multi-stream decoding software operates on Windows PCs and is managed as a part of a system by a VN-Matrix Enterprise Controller. It offers aspect ratio management for VN-Matrix streams, including FILL, FOLLOW and a 1:1 mode, which can be applied independently to each decoded source. VNS 104 provides an effective method for monitoring multiple streaming sources in a variety of environments including command and control, after action review, training and simulation, and medical or geological visualization.
Here are all the specs: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=vns104&s=5
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Share Article Back to Top BenQ Launches New Entry-Line of Projectors BenQ's new entry-level M6 Series MS616ST, MX618ST, MX662 and MW663 models are spec'd at contrast ratios of 13,000:1 and up to 3,500 ANSI lumens of brightness. They also include BenQ's SmartEco technology to cut energy consumption by up to 70 percent. Designed for corporate, classroom and personal spaces, the MS616ST (SVGA) and MX618ST (XGA) are short-throw projectors offering wireless connectivity for "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) scenarios. The higher brightness versions are the MX662 (XGA projector spec'd at 3,500 ANSI lumens) and the MW663 (a WXGA wide-screen projector spec'd at 3,000 ANSI lumens).
One interesting feature is that the BenQ M6 Series features wireless display options for cable-free connection to content sources. When paired with BenQ's Qpresenter app for the iPhone and iPad, users can transfer files from their handheld iOS devices directly to the projection screen. What makes them green is that BenQ's SmartEco technology allows users the same brightness, features and performance at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). For instance, in "Smart Eco" mode, projectors automatically adjust lamp power by up to 70 percent in order to use just the right amount of brightness needed. The result is an 6,500 hours of lamp life without any compromise to picture quality, according to BenQ. To further reduce power consumption, an "Eco Blank" mode allows teachers or presenters to blank out the screen whenever projection isn't needed while a "No Source Detected" mode automatically lowers brightness to 30 percent when no display has been detected for more than three minutes. An audio pass through function also preserves lamp life by enabling only sound when projectors are on standby.
Available now, the BenQ MS616ST, MX618ST, MX662 and MW663 retail at $699, $899, $799, and $799 respectively. Here they are: http://www.benq.us/products/product_line.cfm?plid=8
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Share Article Back to Top NEC Adds 46-Inch and 52-Inch to Super-Slim Line NEC Display added two super-slim displays to its specialty X Series portfolio in the form of the 46-inch X462S and 55-inch X552S. NEC is calling these "industrial-strength." Using LED backlighting and a mere 1.8 inches deep, the X462S and X552S are not only super-slim and ultra light, but they also deliver a brightness of 700 cd/m².
In addition, these super-slim displays include the Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) slot, a standardization designed to simplify installations, use and maintenance of digital signage. Users receive full connectivity, including DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI-D, as well as remote management through the Network Control and Communication tools.
The X462S and X552S displays include the following features: - LED backlighting technology, which reduces power consumption and contributes to a lightweight design with minimal 1.8-inch depth
- Commercial-grade LCD panel and components, which enable extended run times
- 1920×1080 native resolution, which provides stunning image clarity
- 500/700 cd/m² brightness (typical/maximum) and 3,000:1 contrast ratio delivering brilliant imagery
- DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI-D (in/out), which enable connectivity to a wide range of peripherals
- RS-232C, LAN and DDC/CI for external control
- TileMatrix, which facilitates video walls up to 100 displays in 10×10 configurations
- Optional color-calibration solution, which enables color uniformity and fidelity across individual and multiple screens
- Real-time clock, which has the ability to set schedules for on/off times 24/7 and can be set to warm up 30 minutes before use for optimum color representation
- Built-in ATSC digital tuner
The X462S and X552S are available at minimum advertised prices of $1,999 and $3,099, respectively and are here: http://www.necdisplay.com/category/large-screen-displays
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Share Article Back to Top Christie Projectors to Show Lighting Options and Rental Staging Solutions at Prolight+Sound The Christie stand at the Frankfurt Prolight+Sound show will focus on Christie's Nitro Solutions (integrated moving yokes), MicroTiles as well as their Roadster J and M Series 3-chip DLP projectors.
The Christie Nitro YK100 is a single-arm yoke that has been purpose designed for the Christie M Series and Christie LX1500 to provide a range of brightness levels (5,700 to 15,000 ANSI lumens) to choose from. This flexible system includes an interchangeable head system that enables users to replace the video projector with another Christie projector on the yoke — with movement and control manageable via DMX protocol. Also present will be the ChristieYK50, a small, dual-arm yoke, which supports the Christie LX700 and Christie LHD700 projectors.
These yokes can be flown, rigged or set up at floor level, according to application requirements. To demonstrate this versatility Christie will stage a comparison between the YK100 and a standard automated discharge light — positioned next to each other and running off the same DMX console.
This is designed to prove conclusively the benefits rental stagers and lighting designers can derive from using a yoke-based system to show video content that can be changed on the fly rather than having to create new gobos for the fixed moving light each time.
The ability of the Christie J Series and M Series to take performance to a new level will also be demonstrated via a projection mapping display onto an uneven surface. Nitro yokes will be used to add branding and extend the visuals shown on the façade to other areas of the stand and to enhance the impact of the projection onto floors, ceilings etc.
Here are the details of the Christie Nitro: http://www.christiedigital.com/en-us/business/products/moving-digital-luminaires/pages/default.aspx
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Share Article Back to Top For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe Rental [and Staging] 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). 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 2013 – 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.
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