Sara Abrons

Sara Abrons

Sara Abrons is executive editor of rAVe [PUBS] and managing director of THE rAVe Agency. She is also a graduate of the School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reach her at sara@ravepubs.com or on Twitter @SaraAbrons. Pronouns: she/her.

Peerless-AV Adds New Line of Ceiling Mounts for Displays, Projectors

Peerless-AV this month announced a new line of ceiling mounts for flat panel displays and projectors. Aimed at both residential and commercial applications, the line consists of three products: ST940-EXA/B/C: Three extension lengths (A, B, or C) of a flat panel ceiling mount for 22″-40″ displays that have a combined extension range of 13″-43″. Mounts […]

Peerless-AV Adds New Line of Ceiling Mounts for Displays, Projectors

Train Wrecks in Digital Signage

So many digital signage installations are either a train wreck today or are going off the rails on their path into the ditch. Many are under-performing. We’ve all seen them… dark displays or error messages showing, or stale, boring or poor content.. In each case, under-achievement of the intended return on investment and little chance […]

Train Wrecks in Digital Signage

Transformative Engineering Debuts Simple HDMI to CATx Extender

Transformative Engineering’s new HLE-1 Lite HDMI Extender uses a version of HDBaseT known as “HDBaseT Lite” for HDMI extension up 70 Meters, along with bi-directional IR over a single CAT5e or CAT6 UTP cable. Using a single 24V DC power supply injected at the transmitter side and also providing remote power to its companion receiver […]

Transformative Engineering Debuts Simple HDMI to CATx Extender

Screen Excellence Debuts New Retractable Screens

Screen Excellence’s new line of Solid Retractable Screens are shipping and include for what they are claiming as a flat tensioned white projection surface. Delivered in a white case with an IR or RF remote control switch for opening and closing the screen, they are all 1.2 gain screens with white fireproof fabric. Sizes range […]

Screen Excellence Debuts New Retractable Screens

Quantum Data Debuts 780 Series Test Generators for 4K HDMI

The Quantum Data 780 Series of handheld test generators are battery-powered, portable video and audio generators and HDMI analyzers that enable you to conduct quick, on-site verification testing and troubleshooting of your HDMI system and analog video (VGA or RGB) displays. The 780 Series include a reference HDMI source and a reference HDMI sink interface […]

Quantum Data Debuts 780 Series Test Generators for 4K HDMI

BenQ Ships New M6 Series WXGA Projector

BenQ is shipping the latest in its M6 series, the MW665 projector, which is aimed at houses of worship, classrooms and boardrooms. It offers 3,200 ANSI lumens of brightness, a 13,000:1 contrast ratio and is integrated with SmartEco energy-saving features to lower the projector’s total cost of ownership (TCO). Featuring BenQ’s Colorific technology and using […]

BenQ Ships New M6 Series WXGA Projector

InfoComm’s Next Networking Course to Be in September

Whether your background is AV or IT, communicating can be a challenge when it comes to AV devices on the network. InfoComm University is offering a special training program, Sept. 10-12, that could help you save time, money and stress by learning networking technology from an AV perspective with two specialized courses. Networked AV Systems […]

InfoComm’s Next Networking Course to Be in September

CEDIA Announces 2014 Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards Finalists

CEDIA EXPO has announced the 2014 Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards finalists. The finalists include 30 products in the Best New Product category. The winners will be announced at a press conference on Fri., Sept. 12 at 9:00 a.m. at CEDIA EXPO 2014. Winners will also be recognized at the annual Electronic Lifestyles Awards Celebration on Sat., […]

CEDIA Announces 2014 Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards Finalists

Revolabs Announces Training Academy Portal and 20 Live Training Events

Revolabs has announced that the company is launching Revolabs Academy Training Program — a free, interactive online learning portal that provides users with a better understanding of audio fundamentals, measurement and performance, and proper use and installation of Revolabs products. Available now, the online curriculum complements the company’s upcoming training and certification tour, which will […]

Revolabs Announces Training Academy Portal and 20 Live Training Events

Smart Building Conference Expands to Four Events in 2014-15

The Smart Building Conference — a joint venture of InfoComm International and CEDIA — is to expand significantly in the coming months with the staging of four events addressing some of Europe’s most energetic markets for audiovisual technology and systems integration. Conference organizer Integrated Systems Events, the company responsible for the globally acclaimed ISE trade […]

Smart Building Conference Expands to Four Events in 2014-15

Chief’s New Certification Course for Digital Signage Now Available

Chief just launched a new training course, through its Chief Certified Partner Program, which focuses on digital signage solutions in ProAV environments and applications. The course is designed to help maximize the impact of content through Chief digital signage solutions, including the new ConnexSys Video Wall Mounting System. It also provides free industry credits — […]

Chief’s New Certification Course for Digital Signage Now Available

Digital Home Suppliers Partners with M&K Sound, Becomes U.S. Distributor

Digital Home Suppliers has announced a new partnership with speaker manufacturer M&K Sound to become the exclusive distributor of M&K Sound products in the United States. Founded by former Electronic Stockroom Vice President Jason Saret and a group of veteran consumer electronics, audio and technology experts that includes a former Director of Velodyne Acoustics, Digital […]

Digital Home Suppliers Partners with M&K Sound, Becomes U.S. Distributor

Call for Entries: D-Tools Design Awards

D-Tools Inc. has announced call for entries for its annual contest, the Design Awards. D-Tools is pursuing System Integrator software users’ greatest success stories and project designs that display how the software has positively affected their business and ROI. Winning success stories will be selected from a diverse group of D-Tools users and announced at […]

Call for Entries: D-Tools Design Awards

THIEL Audio Appoints New CEO

THIEL Audio has announced today that as part of a complete brand revitalization plan, the company’s headquarters has been relocated to the Nashville, Tenn. area and new ownership has appointed John Wittman as CEO. Wittman joins THIEL Audio with a successful track record in consumer products, manufacturing, distribution and most recently the publishing industry. To […]

THIEL Audio Appoints New CEO

Recently from rAVe’s BlogSquad

Corey Moss: Writing the Interview Blog – It’s Topical, and Personal Lee Distad: One Simple Rule for Being Happy Scott Tiner: A Proposal Corey Moss: The SMART (Enterprise) Way To Do Business Lee Distad: Communicating With Your Customers Christopher Jaynes: Software: The Next Opportunity for AV Resellers Mike Lutrell: Highlights of InfoComm 2014: Exploring the […]

Recently from rAVe’s BlogSquad

RTI Ships Next-Generation RK1+ In-Wall Keypad

Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI) has announced that the company is now shipping its next-generation RK1+ in-wall keypad, available in two-, four- and eight-button models. Each unit now includes multiple faceplate and button colors in addition to a custom-engraved button set option for a completely customizable control experience at an affordable price. The RK1+ offers white, […]

RTI Ships Next-Generation RK1+ In-Wall Keypad

Pakedge Ships BakPak Cloud Management System

Pakedge Device and Software’s new BakPak Cloud Management System lets system integrators remotely monitor, manage and maintain their clients’ networks to ensure that they are continuously operating properly. From a smartphone, tablet or any computer web browser, a technician can manage multiple client networks through a simple centralized dashboard. Configurable alerts, sent through text messaging, […]

Pakedge Ships BakPak Cloud Management System

PreSonus Delivers Complete Mobile Recording Studio

PreSonus’ new USB 2.0 bus-powered AudioBox iOne audio interface and AudioBox iTwo audio/MIDI interface are universally compatible with Mac, Windows and Apple iPad. These mobile interfaces include PreSonus’ Studio One Artist DAW for Mac and Windows, new Capture Duo recording software for iPad and a Nimbit Free account for online direct-to-fan distribution of music, merchandise […]

PreSonus Delivers Complete Mobile Recording Studio

Learn About the Future of UC, Smart Buildings and Digital Signage at Integrate 2014 in Sydney

On-trend and future focused insights, will be on offer at the inaugural Future Trend Talks at upcoming AV and systems integration trade show Integrate, which will take place in Sydney, Australia next month. Crafted to address the growing convergence of AV and IT, and to raise the benchmark of industry education available in the Asia […]

Learn About the Future of UC, Smart Buildings and Digital Signage at Integrate 2014 in Sydney

DVDO Launches Scaler/Switcher Exclusively for ROKU Streaming Stick

DVDO has announced something it’s marketing as a “Roku Ready” DVDO box in the form of the Quick6R 4K Ultra HD HDMI switcher. Basically, you plug in the Roku Stick into one of the six DVDO box inputs and it outputs all of the content as 4K via an MHL port — no wires or […]

DVDO Launches Scaler/Switcher Exclusively for ROKU Streaming Stick

Mackie Launches “Affordable” Creative Reference Speaker Line

Mackie just launched its Creative Reference Multimedia Monitor Series, which the company says is an “affordable” version of a studio-quality speaker. The series includes two models — the CR3 and CR4 — with 3-inch or 4-inch woofers and 3/4-inch silk-dome tweeters. CR monitors are housed in all-wood cabinets and include custom-tuned rear ports. Unique to […]

Mackie Launches “Affordable” Creative Reference Speaker Line

Recently from rAVe’s BlogSquad

Corey Moss: AV, Women and A Bright New Day Lee Distad: On Golf, Prospecting and Chutzpah Mark Coxon: Ten AV Industry Power Couples! Mark Coxon: The Real Enemy of 4K: Infrastructure Lee Distad: When AV Devices Attack Croak Gary Kayye: The Soccer Save – US Style Corey Moss: Disruptive at the InfoComm — My Top 10 […]

Recently from rAVe’s BlogSquad

RTI Releases Two-Way Driver for Sonos Audio Devices

Remote Technologies Incorporated (RTI) today announced the availability of a new two-way driver for use with the Sonos family of wireless music players. Available free of charge to RTI dealers, the driver activates control and feedback of Sonos audio components for selecting songs, storing favorites, and adjusting audio settings on up to 16 media players […]

RTI Releases Two-Way Driver for Sonos Audio Devices

CSI Intros Battery-Powered 3G/HD/SDI Fiber Transmitter

Communication Specialties (CSI) has launched a battery operated 3G/HD/SD-SDI fiber optic transmission system. The Fiberlink SDI Beamer can be powered externally or via an internal 9-volt battery – designed to be used as a batter-backup system for mission critical applications (for 5-hours). CSI says the Fiberlink SDI Beamer supports 3G, HD and SD-SDI data rates […]

CSI Intros Battery-Powered 3G/HD/SDI Fiber Transmitter

Extron Introduces Compact HDMI to HDMI Scaler

Extron introduced this week the DSC HD-HD, a compact high performance, HDCP-compliant scaler that converts between HDMI resolutions and frame rates. It accepts video from 480i up to 1920×1200, 1080p and 2K, and offers high performance upscaling and downscaling with multiple output rates up to 1920×1200, including HDTV 1080p/60 and 2K. The DSC HD-HD features […]

Extron Introduces Compact HDMI to HDMI Scaler

SpectraCal and X-Rite Partner to Provide New Calibration Solution for Panasonic Professional Displays

SpectraCal, Inc. and color technology company X-Rite, Inc. have partnered to introduce a software/hardware package that makes calibrating and matching select Panasonic professional displays faster and more intuitive for video walls and digital signage. The CalMAN for Panasonic package provides automated calibrations for select Panasonic displays, including the new Panasonic LFV series for multi-panel video […]

SpectraCal and X-Rite Partner to Provide New Calibration Solution for Panasonic Professional Displays

Chief Expands Mobile XL Cart Solutions

Chief’s Extra-Large Fusion Mobile Cart was designed for extra-large and touch panel displays — including the SMART 8000 series — from 55″ to more than 100″ and up to 300 pounds (136 kg). It has space for internal storage, including hardware to vertically mount 2 RUs worth of AV gear. The Extra-Large Fusion Video Conferencing […]

Chief Expands Mobile XL Cart Solutions

Christie Intros All-New Velvet Indoor LED Tiles

Christie is expanding its line of high brightness tiled displays with the introduction of the Christie Velvet line of built-to-order, high resolution indoor LED panels. Marketed as seamless to integrate and available in various pixel pitches, Christie’s LED tiles are aimed at indoor applications such as retail, casinos, museums, corporate lobbies and control room environments, […]

Christie Intros All-New Velvet Indoor LED Tiles

Mackie Ships 1000-Watt Loudspeaker Systems

Mackie is shipping the re-designed SRM450 and SRM350 High-Definition Portable Powered Loudspeakers. Both are 1000-watt amp platform designs and feature some custom audio tools that Mackie says simplify setup and produce results not found in any other speakers at this price. Choose between four application-specific speaker modes, each re-voicing the SRM to sound its best […]

Mackie Ships 1000-Watt Loudspeaker Systems

HARMAN’s Crown DCi Network Display Amplifiers Claim the World’s First AVnu Alliance Certified AVB Endpoint

HARMAN’s Crown Audio has announced its DCi Network Display Amplifiers are the first professional audio endpoints to receive AVnu certification for Audio Video Bridging (AVB) interoperability from the AVnu Alliance, the professional audio industry’s organization dedicated to driving open, standards-based AV networking through the certification of AVB products for interoperability. Crown’s flagship DCi Network Series […]

HARMAN’s Crown DCi Network Display Amplifiers Claim the World’s First AVnu Alliance Certified AVB Endpoint

AmpliVox Intros Duo Tandem Line Array Soundbar

AmpliVox Sound Systems just introduced a new two-module configuration of its Line Array Soundbar system, a two-piece design of the Duo Tandem Line Array Soundbar. Presenters can both position the rack-mounted speaker module of the system to face the audience and also position the amplifier module with its controls at the presenter’s fingertips. AmpliVox designed […]

AmpliVox Intros Duo Tandem Line Array Soundbar

Martin Audio Intros DD12 Speaker System

Martin Audio calls its new DD12 a multi-purpose two-way loudspeaker system. It combines onboard networking, DSP and Class D amplification with transducers and Differential Dispersion horn technology. (Differential Dispersion technology, the company claims, delivers more consistent audience coverage than systems with X° x  Y° horns, providing more throw to the rear to distribute sound evenly […]

Martin Audio Intros DD12 Speaker System