5120 Is Not 4K and 4K Is Not UHD

After my last piece on 4K and UHD and the infrastructure challenges we face in order to implement it in its best form, I honestly thought I’d be done with the topic for a while. After all, the most recent piece I wrote on 4K before that was in May 2013, almost a year prior. […]

5120 Is Not 4K and 4K Is Not UHD

What can you Use an 8K Planetarium for? Lots of Things it Turns Out

The other day I had a chance to return to my alma mater – The University of Colorado at Boulder.  There, I got a chance to meet with the team running the newly renovated Fiske Planetarium – a state-of-the-art facility that can handle 8K image files.  What this system can do may amaze you – […]

What can you Use an 8K Planetarium for?  Lots of Things it Turns Out

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

Weekly Wrap-Up: July 11, 2014

It’s Friday and time for the Weekly Wrap-Up! Every week we give you a second look at some of the top stories from the week. This week’s wrap-up features some new product announcements from Extron and Christie, a post from Matt Cooper on the state of virtual reality in the AV industry, a review of […]

Weekly Wrap-Up: July 11, 2014

The Real Enemy of 4k: Infrastructure

There has been a lot of talk about 4k. There are actually several formats that people are describing when they use the term 4k. There is true 4k from cinema (4096 by XXXX) and then UHD-1/2160P (3840 by 2160) which is what type of displays are hitting the market. For the purposes of this blog, […]

The Real Enemy of 4k: Infrastructure

PESA Intros Cheetah 16×16 4K Switcher

PESA has announced a new switcher called the Cheetah 4K, available in multiple configurations up to 16×16. Built on PESA’s Cheetah digital video routing platform and using the company’s easyPORT converter module technology, each I/O card includes four SC-style fiber CWDM connections carrying up to 12 Gbps (4xSDI) for each port. An outboard easyPORT module […]

PESA Intros Cheetah 16×16 4K Switcher

DVDO Launches Tiny 4K Scaler

DVDO’s new iScan Mini is a compact SD (480p) and Full HD (1080p) to 4K scaler. Integrated with Silicon Image’s VRS ClearView technology, the iScan Mini includes noise reduction, edge and detail enhancement (sharpness control) and a useless side-by-side comparison mode of “before and after” video to showcase the power of iScan Mini. Packaged in […]

DVDO Launches Tiny 4K Scaler

My InfoComm 2014 Impressions

By Norbert Hildebrand Display Central Here we are. InfoComm 2014 is basically over and all the polished product presentations are being broken down and shipped back to the office. The main event for the Pro AV industry is closing their doors on Friday and the excitement of the last three days gives way to ‘business […]

My InfoComm 2014 Impressions

Barco Takes on Dataton with 4K Show Controller

Barco’s new E2 image processor features native 4K inputs and outputs and supporting 4K content at professional frame rates (up to 60p 4:4:4). The E2 is integrated with eight mixable PGM outputs and four scaled AUX outputs for full show control within a single box. Whether native or scaled inputs, two connectors or four, this […]

Barco Takes on Dataton with 4K Show Controller

Crestron Intros 4K DM Receiver

Crestron’s new HDBaseT compliant DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G is a signal interface and control solution for a single HD or 4K display device in a DM system. A single cable connects the DM-RMC-4K-100-C-1G to a DM switcher or transmitter, or to an HDBaseT source, transporting video, audio, control, networking and power signals all through one category cable. Crestron […]

Crestron Intros 4K DM Receiver

BrightSign Announces Integration with STRATACACHE’s ActiVia Content Management System

BrightSign today announced its collaboration with STRATACACHE, a content management system (CMS) provider in the digital signage industry. STRATACACHE will adding support for BrightSign 2K and 4K media players for its ActiVia product line. STRATACACHE provides manageable solutions to enterprise networks and service provider networks of any size. The company works with more than 300 […]

BrightSign Announces Integration with STRATACACHE’s ActiVia Content Management System

DT Research Debuts 8K Digital Signage Player — Basically, a 16-Output Video Wall Controller

DT Research has announced the MS2800H and MS2800L digital signage multi-screen players that are capable of displaying content on up to 16 screens. The MS2800H/L can deliver both 4K and 8K (sort of) content across multiple displays (up to 16 from a single box), and offer content blending or tiling across screens. It includes multi-zone […]

DT Research Debuts 8K Digital Signage Player — Basically, a 16-Output Video Wall Controller

InfoComm 2014: For What I’ll Be Looking (A Pixel-and-Ink Stained Look Ahead)

InfoComm time is almost here! I’ll resume my tradition from last year and share with you my thoughts on things for which to look on the show floor. Those of you following the discussion online should be aware that my esteemed colleague, AV wunderkind Alex Mayo has already weighed in on this from the cubicle […]

InfoComm 2014: For What I’ll Be Looking (A Pixel-and-Ink Stained Look Ahead)

CE labs Announces 4K 60Hz Digital Signage Players

CE labs/Cable Electronics, Inc. is introducing at InfoComm two new 4K 60Hz digital signage players to the Series 7 digital signage player line — the AP700-4k and the AP70-4k. These players are housed in a commercial-grade chassis, offer HDMI 2.0 and are capable of playing HEVC content using the new H.265 codec at enhanced bit […]

CE labs Announces 4K 60Hz Digital Signage Players

Shuttle Computer Adds 4K to Digital Signage Players

Shuttle Computer has announced a new digital signage player, the DS81, which is able to play 4K content or support two 1080p displays simultaneously. Features include: Compact size with a body thickness of 43 millimeters Support for international VESA mount standards Intel Haswell 4th generation chip Heat pipe cooling module with a smart fan design […]

Shuttle Computer Adds 4K to Digital Signage Players

Definition of UHD TV Becomes More Muddied

Most manufacturers and consumers think a UHD TV should have 3860×2160 color pixels, which typically is understood to mean red, green and blue (RGB) subpixels make up one color pixel. That understanding is now being challenged as subpixel structures using red, green, blue and white (RGBW) and red, green, blue and yellow (RGBY) are increasingly […]

Definition of UHD TV Becomes More Muddied

Kramer Intros 1×4 HDMI Distribution Amplifier

Kramer Electronics’ new VM-4HN is a 1×4 HDMI distribution amplifier that relocks and equalizes the signal and is spec’d to distribute it to four identical outputs. The VM-4HN claims a maximum data rate of 10.2 Gbps (3.4 Gbps per graphic channel) distributes signals with resolutions up to 4K (3840×2160), 24 Hz refresh with 8-bit/10-bit/12-bit color, […]

Kramer Intros 1×4 HDMI Distribution Amplifier

Is Sony Reconsidering OLED?

Rumors have been flying today because of a story written by the Nikkei Asian Review claiming that Sony is getting out of OLED TVs to focus on 4K LCD TVs. On the other hand, we have seen reports that quote Sony as denying this development. What exactly is going on is unclear, but it is […]

Is Sony Reconsidering OLED?

Smart-e Ships Modular 4K Splitter

UK-based Smart-e’s new modular HDMI and HDBaseT splitter, the 4K-1:3, is now shipping. This splitter is able to transmit high resolution 4K HDMI signals to multiple displays. It features one selectable input, three selectable outputs and one fixed HDMI output. The 4K-1:3 transmits video signals together with Ethernet, RS232 and IR over a single CAT6 […]

Smart-e Ships Modular 4K Splitter

Analog Way Adds 4K to LiveCore Series of AV Switchers

Analog Way is adding 4K resolution to its LiveCore series of AV switchers and will debut at InfoComm next month the Ascender 48-4K. Analog Way will add to the LiveCore series two new connectors: HDMI 1.4b and DVI 4K. Three HDMI 4K inputs and two DVI 4K outputs will be available on the SmartMatriX Ultra, […]

Analog Way Adds 4K to LiveCore Series of AV Switchers

In Defense of a Less Neutral Network

The FCC made waves last week with an announcement that it’s dropping its long-standing position on “net-neutrality” — the idea that all Internet traffic should be treated equally by Internet service providers. This is something with direct impact on an increasingly network-centric AV industry, and one about which several of my fellow AV bloggers have […]

In Defense of a Less Neutral Network

AJA Video Systems Intros Io 4K for Thunderbolt 2

Io 4K from AJA Video Systems is capture and output hardware that offers professional video and audio connectivity with support for the latest 4K and UltraHD devices and High Frame Rate workflows. The power of Thunderbolt 2 enables Io 4K to handle a wide range of formats from SD to HD, UHD and full 4K […]

AJA Video Systems Intros Io 4K for Thunderbolt 2

Audience Entertainment Discusses Interactive Digital Cinema

By Matt Brennesholtz Display Central Audience Entertainment and Barco announced on March 18th a partnership creating a new interactive technology platform for moviegoers called iD — Interactive Dimension. iD builds upon digital projection and 3D technology to create a new cinema environment allowing moviegoers to physically connect and control the screen’s content the moment they […]

Audience Entertainment Discusses Interactive Digital Cinema

NanoTech Adds 4K Nuvola NP-C Player

NanoTech’s Nuvola NP-C claims to be the world’s first commercial-grade 4K media player (though we know that’s not true as BrightSign, among others, also has one). But the NP-C is a solid-state player that does support content via Android App’s HTML5 or Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, like 11-Giraffes. The NP-C connects via Ethernet […]

NanoTech Adds 4K Nuvola NP-C Player

Public Demo of 4K Live Streaming

At NAB 2014, Cisco and Sony became the first companies to publicly demonstrate the live delivery of full-frame rate 4K 60P content. The live demonstration streamed live 4K video from New York City to Las Vegas and was on display for NAB show attendees at the Cisco and Sony booths. Live events in New York […]

Public Demo of 4K Live Streaming

SMART Intros SMART Board 6065 4K Interactive Flat Panel

SMART Technologies Inc. has announced the SMART Board 6065 interactive flat panel (IFP) for education. The first in a new line of SMART Board interactive flat panels, the 6065 IFP offers improved image quality and new features. Measuring 65 inches (165 centimeters) on the diagonal, the SMART Board 6065 interactive flat panel offers ultra-HD 4K […]

SMART Intros SMART Board 6065 4K Interactive Flat Panel

Sony Announces Pricing, Ship Dates for Newest 4K Bravia TVs

At CES, Sony announced 4K TVs as part of its Bravia lineup. Sony announced ship dates and pricing for those TVs. They will ship this June and are priced starting at $2,099 for the entry-level 49-inch model. There are nine models across three different series. There are four sizes of the XBR-X850B, three of the […]

Sony Announces Pricing, Ship Dates for Newest 4K Bravia TVs

Weekly Wrap-Up: April 11, 2014

Here’s a second look at some of the top stories from last week. Enjoy! And if you think we missed anything, be sure to let us know! Post by rAVe.

Weekly Wrap-Up: April 11, 2014

Panasonic Debuts 98″ and 84″ 4K LED Displays at NAB

Panasonic this month announced two new large-format 4K (3840×2160) LED displays along with other new professional AV technologies at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show. The 98” TH-98LQ70 and 84” TH-84LQ70 4K displays are being marketed for broadcast production, digital signage, rental and staging, design and simulation as well as command and control rooms. […]

Panasonic Debuts 98″ and 84″ 4K LED Displays at NAB

Laser Projection, the Cinema Experience and 4K Topping Our Interests

CinemaCon was last week and NAB is next week, but there has been no let up in the news flow from these events.  Let’s take a look. CinemaCon was a watershed for news about the future of the cinema.  Laser projection was a hot topic we covered a few times: Christie Takes a Different 6p […]

Laser Projection, the Cinema Experience and 4K Topping Our Interests

The Point of Diminishing Returns

How many products have matured to a point where the Nth-degree improvement is now only noticed by a fraction of only the most sophisticated users? I’d submit that we’re long past the days of “good enough” for the kind of products coming out in the audio, video, lighting market. The pinnacle of perfection is within […]

The Point of Diminishing Returns

Philips Intros 4K, 1080p Android-Based Smart TVs

TP Vision, the company that markets and brands Philips TVs in Europe and other parts of the world, has announced a new line of TVs that are powered by Android. There are two lines, the 8100 and 8200 TVs, which are 1080p resolution, and the Ultra HD 8800 series, offering 4K resolution. These will first […]

Philips Intros 4K, 1080p Android-Based Smart TVs