|
 |
| Volume 5, Issue 1 – January 17, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Click above for more information
Welcome to another edition of rAVe! CES was big — big crowds, big floor space, and plenty of big announcements. Some of the biggest news is how small the depth of TVs is becoming. See the article below. As usual, we're not bringing you ALL the CES news. We only bring you news that impacts the install community, and we'll be covering more of the new products in the next edition. And, how about that Apple?! You can now rent movies and play them on an iPod, a PC or Mac and the Apple TV. This lets Apple claim the EASIEST method for renting movies in the market. Unless you take into account Netflix's announcement that customers can now watch as many streaming movies as they want. See both stories below. Thanks to Blake Brubaker for another installment of Angles of Reflection. This time, he gives a very in-depth explanation of why contrast matters more than brightness. Oh, and by the way, the Blu-ray vs. HD-DVD war is ALMOST over. In the wake of Warner Brothers' announcement that they're switching camps, this leaves only two studios left in the HD-DVD camp — and one of them is rumored to be announcing their switch by the end of February. We CAN tell you, "we told you so" as we predicted this almost a year ago with my statement quote, "buying an HD-DVD player would be the equivalent of throwing money in a fireplace and lighting it with a Cuban cigar." In fact, in the March 12, 2007 issue of rAVe HomeAV Edition — http://www.ravehome.com/issues/2007/03/rhvol4iss5/index.html#edit — I wrote a column entitled "Why Blu-ray's Gonna Kill HD-DVD" and warned you NOT to support HD-DVD because of its impending death. We've decided to re-run that column, below, in this issue, to remind you of my observations of the two standards. In the mean time, however, check out this video that is a HILARIOUS look at what might have been the reason for HD-DVD canceling their CES Press Conference in the wake of the Warner Bros decision. It can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=friS4OOcdgQ Enjoy the issue! –Gary Kayye, CTS
Click above for more information
Thanks to our sponsor D-Tools, worldwide leader in easy-to-use, highly accurate system design software. System Integration just got easier! Please click here for a 30-day FREE trial!
Editorial Why Blu-ray's Gonna Kill HD-DVD
Well, the cards, letters and e-mails poured in. Many of you either agreed or thanked me for helping you make the decision between the two formats for your own homes. But, some of you out there just couldn't take it — writing to explain how wrong I was in making that prediction — how could I be so wrong!!! I read them. I read through each and every response. Every single one. But, I must say, if you're going to defend a dying, sub-par, lame, so-called standard like HD- DVD, please come up with a better argument than the name is so much easier for the American public to grasp, so it will win over the market with guaranteed acceptance.
Well, I can do way better than that. Here's why Blu-ray is better: Well, it really comes down to four things that make my prediction of Blu-ray to be the clear market winner in the high definition DVD war.
Other than the name argument, the only other logical argument was price. Currently, Blu-ray DVD players cost 30-60% more than HD-DVD players. But, come on. Hasn't underestimating a technology's adoption because it was more expensive than it's competitive technology burned us all? Hey, look at Apple — the iPod's the most expensive portable music player on the planet and it currently enjoys a market share that's almost that of Microsoft's Word. Still don't agree? OK, take a chance. Head on down to Best Buy and grab an HD-DVD player — I dare you! Oh, did I mention that there will be over 5 million Blu-ray products introduced in 2007? Oh, I just did. Editor's Note: You are also going to want to watch this YouTube parody of the movie "Downfall." Check out the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=friS4OOcdgQ
Click above for more information
Feature Article Angles Of Reflection
It seems that one of the most frequent questions I receive from designers and audiovisual engineers is "How do I determine if the visual system I have designed will be bright enough?" In order to answer that question, we must first evaluate what is really being asked. Probably one of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is the fact that an image must have "brightness" in order to look good. While that is partially true, the main attribute that affects our perception of whether or not an image is "bright" is actually the contrast of the image. After all, when we look at contrast, we are looking not only at the "brightness" of the image but also the "blackness" of the image. We have learned from not only Angles of View but also many other publications in the audiovisual industry that contrast is a comparison of these two attributes. In addition, we discover that the "blackness" of an image has much more of an impact on the contrast ratio than does the "brightness". With that in mind, one of the things we have to consider in a projection system is that the "blackness" of the screen is equal to that of looking at the screen with no projected light and only the ambient light in the room impinging upon the surface. This is exactly how dark the black parts of the image will be under projection. For this reason, it is critical that we attempt to control ambient light near the screen. As you will see from the following chart taken from Angles of View, even a few foot candles of light will have a major impact on the screen's black level.
From Angles of View Volume V, we also learned that we should design systems such that the contrast ratio should be at least 10:1. All right, that is all well and good but how do we determine this? First we must look at the equation we were given from this article. It states the following:
At first glance this equation might look a little intimidating. However, upon further review, we will see that is can be a very useful and friendly equation, given we understand the factors it utilizes. As we review these factors, we will do so in an order which will provide the best result. First, let us look at Image Area. We have learned previously that we must determine the screen size based on the 4 and 6 rule. Therefore, if we have a room where the MDV (most distant viewer) will be 24' away from the screen, then we would use a screen that is 48" in height for reading applications or 72" in height for applications where inspecting the screen is necessary. In this case, we are using the inspection rule and based on the fact that our source material has an aspect ratio of 4:3, our optimum screen size would then be 72" by 96". When we multiply these two numbers together and divide by 144, (inches in one square foot) we learn that our chosen screen size is equivalent to 48 ft². This will be the number we insert into the equation for the Image Area. Next, let us look at the Screen Gain portion of the equation. While this is one of the factors that can be manipulated in order to change the outcome of the equation, it is one of those items where it is best to determine this based on factors such as viewing angle and ambient lighting. For our example, let us say that we have chosen to use a screen of 1.5 gain based on the fact that our audience is seated within a cone that is equal to 70º from the center of where the screen will be placed and the fact that we are utilizing a ceiling mounted projector. Therefore, we will plug in 1.5 as the Screen Gain factor. Now we look at the ? portion of the equation. This is a constant that is based upon whether we are utilizing either front or rear projection. The constants here are 1.0 if front projection and 0.2 if rear projection. In this example, we are using a front projection screen. Therefore, we will plug 1.0 in for the ? portion of the equation. Lastly, let us look at the Lamb portion of the equation. This is representative of the ambient light that is incident to the screen's surface, measured in foot-candles. Utilizing a basic light metering device for existing rooms or giving careful consideration and planning in rooms that are not yet completed can achieve this number. In an existing application, all that is needed is to point the light meter from the wall where the screen will be placed out towards the audience seating area. For rooms yet to be built, it becomes a bit more involved. Here we need to consider what type of lighting is being utilized and determine based on the output of the light source and the direction at which it is aimed, how much will be incident to the screen's surface. For example, if we follow the IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America) Lighting Handbook rules for designing a properly lighted conference / meeting room, we learn that there should be 30 foot candles falling on horizontal surfaces and 5 foot candles falling on vertical surfaces. Given our screen should be parallel with the vertical surface, we can assume 5 foot candles. So for the purposes of our equation we will use 5 as our Lamb portion of the equation. So, we almost have a completed equation, right? Technically, yes we do. The only remaining factor is the Minimum Light Output (Lumens). While all of the other factors in the equation can and do affect the others, this is one of the areas that can be adjusted to meet our minimum requirements for the 10:1 contrast ratio. After all, the Minimum Light Output (Lumens) is what we are trying to determine based on the other factors. In other words, we are attempting to determine how much output we need from the projector in order to achieve our desired 10:1 contrast ratio for the projected image. We can now complete the equation and see the results. Minimum Light Output (Lumens) = (9x48x1.0x5) ÷ (1.5-0.2) Minimum Light Output (Lumens) = (2160) ÷ (1.3) Minimum Light Output = 1662 Lumens For purposes of comparison, let us see what happens if we change the screen gain portion of the equation. Instead of using a 1.5 gain screen, our application requires a screen with a wider viewing angle and the 1.0 gain screen fits that requirement. In this case, the equation looks like the following: Minimum Light Output (Lumens) = (9x48x1.0x5) ÷ (1.0-0.2) Minimum Light Output (Lumens) = (2160) ÷ (0.8) Minimum Light Output = 2700 Lumens As you can see, by only making one small change in the screen gain, we need a projector that is nearly 62% higher in its light output. Now let us look at what happens when we take the same equation with the 1.0 gain screen and reduce the amount of light incident to the screen's surface from 5 foot candles to 2.5 foot candles. Minimum Light Output (Lumens) = (9x48x1.0x2.5) ÷ (1.0-0.2) Minimum Light Output (Lumens) = (1080) ÷ (0.8) Minimum Light Output = 1350 Lumens Even though it has been mentioned a number of times before, you can see based on these numbers that the ambient light in the room has a very significant impact on the amount of light output that is necessary from a projector in order to achieve our 10:1 contrast ratio. In this example, by reducing the ambient light in half, we are able to use a projector that is also nearly half as bright to achieve the same results. To take our contrast ratio one step further, we can also review the following formula from the same Volume V of Angles of View.
In this equation, we are trying to determine what the actual contrast ratio is of our display system. The Lamb and ? factor in this equation remain the same as they were for the previous equation. LA and LB are new factors and need to be determined. LA represents the Lumen output of the projector divided by the surface area of the screen multiplied by the screen gain (if any). LB is then equal to the Lumen output of the projector divided by the surface area multiplied by 0.02. For purposes of our first example, let us first determine LA and LB. LA = (1662 48) x 1.5 LB = (1662 48) x 0.02 LA = (34.625) x 1.5 LB = (34.625) x 0.02 LA = 51.9375 LB = 0.6925 Now that we have all of our variables determined, let us plug all of our factors into the equation and complete it to prove we have at least a 10:1 contrast ratio. CR = (51.9375 + (1.0 x 5)) (0.6925 + (1.0 x 5)) CR = (51.9375 + 5) (0.6925 + 5) CR = (56.9375) (5.6925) CR = 10.002 So, as you can see, we did end up with exactly a 10:1 contrast ratio. These formulas are very useful and if they are used to design a visual display system should result in a system that has the appropriate amount of contrast along with the appropriate amount of "brightness". So the next time you are asked, "How bright will my image be?" You can safely answer, "It will be sufficiently bright and have good contrast". — Blake Brubaker
One Door Closes, Another Opens… As the saying goes, "One door closes, another door opens." This rings very true for CEDIA. January is a busy month, putting the finishing touches on the 2008 Management Conference, processing the 2008 Membership dues, and preparing for the Electronic Lifestyles® Forum registration to open, CEDIA is moving full speed ahead into the New Year.
Build A Better Business at Management Conference: "This event is uniquely different from other industry events because it centers around putting focused time and effort into things that specifically apply to owners and middle management. Among the most important concepts I was able to implement in my company was the idea of strategic planning — making it a living, breathing part of your day-to-day operations." Richard Friesen – Absolute Audio Video Click here for more information or to register!
CEDIA Membership Dues Deadline Fast Approaching — January 31 Renew your membership for 2008 to continue reaping the membership benefits that give you a competitive edge, including:
To see more benefits, click here. To update your membership information for accurate inclusion in the 2008 Worldwide Membership Directory, visit www.cedia.org/renew.
Increase Your Industry Contacts at CEDIA Electronic Lifestyles® Forum Adolphus Hotel — Dallas, TX REMEMBER: Registration Opens January 21! Mark your calendar now for CEDIA's third annual Electronic Lifestyles® Forum. Residential electronic systems owners are invited this event in Dallas, TX to network and learn alongside key industry partners.
Online registration opens January 21; early bird discounts end March 12.
Click above for more information
Upcoming CEDIA University Events:
Click above for more information
Build a Better Business at CEDIA Management Conference By Joe Perfito
Wow! What a surprise. Specifically designed for the education of owners and top level executives of electrical system contractor (ESC) companies, the conference was an excellent four-day affair with keynotes each day. Breakout sessions were provided with various subjects applicable to many different aspects of operating a business. The keynotes were educational, thought provoking, and genuinely entertaining; what a great combination. The breakout sessions were taught by industry veterans, cross-industry personnel, as well as professional presenters. In between, there was plenty of time for networking. From after-conference surveys, it was determined that this was one of the most popular functions; the opportunity for participants to speak with other ESCs about business matters. I met a number of current Tributaries dealers at the conference and also got to speak with many other dealers from all over North America. As a sponsor, at each sit-down meal, I had my very own "Tributaries Table", usually with 5-7 dealers; different ones at each meal, where I got to ask questions about their wire & cable business and speak about my company and products. The whole concept "worked". Participating in the CMC gave me the opportunity to contribute to an event that focuses on the continuing education of ESCs and at the same time provides me the opportunity to talk with my existing dealers as well as prospective dealers in the industry. There was also time to speak with other manufacturers about their challenges and experiences, all in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. I also got to put together a golf foursome with two of my dealers and one other manufacturer. That was great fun. I highly recommend the participation of other manufacturers as sponsors for the CMC as a way of supporting the continuing education of the ESCs. I also believe every owner, general manager, operations manager, and top level manager would greatly benefit from the conference content.
Click above for more information
Apple Announces Movie Rentals, HD Content, Changes to Apple TV By Sara Abrons
Apple will offer movie rentals at $2.99 for library titles, $3.99 for new releases, and $4.99 for high definition movies. All major movie studios are on board, and more than 1,000 titles will be available for renting, with more than 100 titles available in high definition by the end of February. They will be available 30 days after the DVD release of the movie, and can be watched on Macs, PCs, iPods, iPhones, and the Apple TV. Once you have downloaded the movie, you will have 30 days to begin watching it, with 24 hours to watch it as many times as you want once you start the movie. The Apple TV also saw several upgrades, most notably the ability to rent movies and purchase music and TV shows directly from the Apple TV's interface without having to use a computer. You can also browse and download podcasts, preview movies, and view photos from Flickr or .Mac without having to sync with a computer first. These updates are available via a free software update that will be released in two weeks. If you have installed any of these already, be sure to call your customers to let them know (and also check to see if they need any displays recalibrated or equipment upgraded, of course).
To all the naysayers who still think the Apple TV or the rental prices are too expensive or won't work for one reason or another, I think there's one major reason it will: convenience. The Apple TV is easy to set up and use. Who wouldn't pay $5 to skip the trip to Blockbuster and watch a movie in high definition? I sure will. And hey, Kaleidescape — I sure hope you guys have a backup plan. For more information on the AppleTV, go to http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/01/15appletv.html For more information on iTunes movie rentals, go to http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/01/15itunes.html
Manufacturers Forum to Make ISE Debut — Gary Kayye to Moderate
Running from 4pm to 5:30pm on Tuesday 29 January at the ISE Presentation Theatre, the ISE Manufacturers Forum will see some of our industry's most prominent figures sharing a table to discuss the future of the systems integration business. Panelists for the event will include: -Andrew Edwards, President of Extron -Allan Bjørnstad, CTO EMEA of Tandberg -Randy Klein, Senior VP of Crestron -Speakercraft President Jeremy Burkhardt -A.C. Ter Meulen, President of Mitsubishi Europe -Dirk Hendrickx, General Manager of Barco Presentation
Says Gary: "The Manufacturers Forum is always a highlight at InfoComm. It gives our high-profile panel the chance to demonstrate their vision of the future of AV, and attendees a unique opportunity to fire questions – awkward or otherwise! There's always a wide range of opinion and there are always a few surprises in store. I'm really excited about bringing the Forum to ISE for the first time, and to anyone who has not attended one of the InfoComm sessions in the past, I can promise them an hour of healthy debate that they will find as valuable as it is entertaining." If you're heading to the ISE Show, please add this exciting event to your show calendar!
CES Largest Show Yet
More than 2,700 companies occupied 1.85 million square feet of exhibit space. Greater than 20,000 products were introduced, and attendance topped 130,000. CES featured quite a few keynotes. CEA's Shapiro opened the 2008 show with a focus on free trade, and issued a call to action for all CES attendees to urge their elected officials to support free trade policies. Panasonic's Toshihiro Sakamoto delivered the opening keynote address and unveiled a 150" plasma HDTV, the largest in the world (see story below). Intel's Paul Otellini spoke of his vision for the future of information technology, and Comcast's Brian Roberts unveiled the first portable DVR. In addition, General Motors' Rick Wagoner unveiled a new car model during his CES keynote and unveiled energy efficient innovations including advancements in fuel cell technology and electronically driven propulsion systems. Bill Gates delivered his 11th — and final — pre-CES keynote, in which he shared his vision for the next digital decade. He also shared a video of what his last day at Microsoft could be like, and you simply MUST watch it. It's a riot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEWMC4usElM The International CES will return to Las Vegas. The 2009 International CES is scheduled for January 8-11, 2009. For more information, go to http://www.cesweb.org/press/news/rd_release_detail.asp?id=11443
Warner Ditches HD DVD — Right Before CES!
"Warner Bros.' move to exclusively release in the Blu-ray disc format is a strategic decision focused on the long term and the most direct way to give consumers what they want," said Barry Meyer, Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. in the announcement. "The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger. We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers, and most importantly, consumers." Ouch. rAVe's own Gary Kayye called Blu-ray the winner a good year ago and this is a GIANT step toward a final showdown. For more information, go to http://www2.warnerbros.com/corpcomm/ Don't forget to watch this YouTube parody of the movie "Downfall." Check out a link to the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=friS4OOcdgQ
Fujitsu Exits Display Biz
The Japan-based company says it has primarily marketed plasma products in North American and European markets. In fact, at the beginning of the plasma craze, Fujitsu was even considered a leader — not any more. "The focus of our marketing was high-end value added products, and our marketing direction was to concentrate on the custom A/V market specializing in advanced A/V systems and high-end custom installations in North America and UK," says the company in a press release. "During the past several years, the pricing and profitability of this segment has compressed beyond the point which our company could realize a satisfactory return on investment. We expect that this market situation will continue in the future." The market may be hot now, but those manufacturers looking two or three years into the future may be preparing for a glut of product which, of course, means more price erosion. If, of course, a decline in demand comes to be. For more information, go to http://www.fujitsu-general.com/global/news/2007/07-V06-29/index.html
Netflix Offers Unlimited Streaming — One Day Before Apple Announces Video Rentals
When Netflix first started offering video streams, the amount of minutes you could watch depended on your purchase plan. Those customers who pay $47.99 for eight movie rentals at a time could watch more total minutes of instant-view films than those who pay $$8.99 a month for one-at-a-time, with lots of incremental plans between the two. Honestly, it was a little intimidating since it was hard to know if you would go over your minutes, or when. (The lowest membership plan of just two rentals a month is still limited to two hours of streaming but that probably affects a small number of subscribers.) This is not only easier to understand, it has to be the best value in the video rental industry ever! We hooked up a projector to the PC earlier this year to see how Netflix's instant view played on the big screen, and it wasn't bad, (especially for the price and convenience).The movie starts immediately and streamed smoothly This definitely gives your customers an intriguing option. The change starts immediately. For more information, go to http://netflix.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=260
Philips Eco TV Takes CNET Best of CES Award
This is a 42-inch model, and CNET reports it will be available in March for $1,399. For the full story, go to http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9843645-67.html
Clap on, Clap off — New Gesture-Controlled TV Technology From JVC
It's a great concept — who doesn't resent hunting for the remote control? While the first showing of this technology looks a little awkward to use, this does eliminate the need for a remote. In all fairness, it probably gets less awkward the more you practice with it and you can probably zip through those gestures quicker as you get past the learning curve. And, it's only the first showing, so if this proves to be a viable solution, the interface will improve in time. The prototype uses both claps and gestures. The claps turn the TV on and off and bring up certain menus. When menu icons appear, you position your hand so that it is superimposed over the icon you want, and bend your fingers to select it. Waving goodbye exits the menus. The technology also uses a microphone and sound filter to separate out commands from ambient noise, or noise from the TV program so that they don't randomly change channels or blast the volume. You can watch a good demo on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-ujDgvOoK4
Very Thin TVs High Profile at CES A number of leading companies battled it out at CES to bring the thinnest TV to the show floor.Pioneer's entry is a 50-inch flat panel display that measures just three-eighths of an inch, or 9 mm, thick. This model will be an addition to the company's KURO line, shown for the first time at CEDIA. It also weighs just 41 pounds. Pioneer expects to ship by end of year. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/CES#home Hitachi fought back with an LCD that measures three-fourths of an inch, and a plasma at 1.5 inches thick (no info on the website just yet). Panasonic's new 50-inch plasma measures 24.7mm, or a bit over .9 inches thin and it weighs just 48 pounds. http://www2.panasonic.com But Sony garnered a lot of attention with its new OLED TV (finally, OLED!). It's only 11 inches diagonal (for now) but it measures only 3mm or a little more than 0.11 thin. http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665327724 Even more noteworthy is that Samsung brought two OLED TVs — 14- and 31-inch models. Sony has actually already been selling the 11-inch OLED and reportedly quite well, even with a relatively high price. Obviously the larger 31-inch prototype is a clear sign that OLED, which many believe is the next new thing, is soon to occupy the store shelves worldwide. Samsung plans releases around 2010. For more on Samsung OLED, go to http://www.samsungsdi.com/contents/en/product/oled/oled.html
Mitsubishi LaserTV Emerges at CES
The company is touting the technology's ability to display "true 3D viewing experience" and at the LaserTV launch event at the Palms Hotel on Monday, Mitsubishi teamed with 3D digital technology provider REAL D to demonstrate what they call the most advanced 3D content available today. According to the announcement, LaserTVs are easily wall mounted and are more energy efficient. These TVs will ship to the US later this year. It's not yet up on their website, but you can check back here later this year: http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/
Panasonic Sets New Record for Big HD Plasmas — Showcases 150-Inch
While this was introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show, the ProAV applications are obvious (in fact, the first 103 from Panasonic was installed at NBC Studios). For more information, go to http://www2.panasonic.com
Another Panasonic Introduction — IPTV Plasma
Further specifications are an incredible contrast ratio of 30,000:1 and a dynamic ratio of 1,000,000:1, 24p native reproduction, and the new Game Mode, designed to minimize time lag when displaying game images. Also, these sets have a Pro Setting Mode that provides the consumer with access to calibration software. The new VIERA PZ850 models are expected to ship this fall and pricing is TBD. For more information, go to http://www2.panasonic.com
Four New Plasma TV Series, 24 New LCD TVs From LG
The flagship plasma lines, the PG70 (50- and 60-inch sizes) and PG60 (50- and 60-inch sizes) series, are designed to look like a pane of glass. They also incorporate an anti-glare technology. The line includes LG's new invisible speaker system, which incorporates speaker actuators around the perimeter of the bezel, eliminating traditional speaker drivers and grills for a sleeker look and wider sweet spot. LG also says that the company's new "Clear Voice" technology automatically enhances the sound frequency range of dialogue even when background noise swells. The PG30 series, with 50 and 60 inches, is specified at 1080p resolution and 30,000:1 contrast ratio, and the PG20 Series (42- and 50-inch) specified at 720p and contrast of 15,000:1. For more information, go to http://us.lge.com/aboutus/pressdetail/detail/press_TV%7CAudio%7CVideo_346.jhtml The new LCD TVs include 24 models, 17 specified at 1080p and sizes ranging from 19 to 52 inches. Among them are a model with depth of just 1.7 inches and one with wireless capabilities. The LG71 Wireless LCD HDTV Series (47 and 52 inches) has integrated 802.11n, which gives you a clean wall installation without down-converting signals. The unit comes with a separate wireless receiver with about a 50-foot radius, allowing other devices to be placed nearby, hidden in a cabinet or entertainment console. The receiver includes four HDMI 1.3 with Deep Color inputs. These also have the invisible speakers as detailed above. For more information, go to http://us.lge.com/aboutus/pressdetail/detail/press_TV%7CAudio%7CVideo_349.jhtml
New 100-Inch RP BigVizion Model From Optoma
The BigVizion HDBV5100P comes with DVDO video enhancement processor/scaler and Optoma's proprietary light engine technology featuring TI's DLP DarkChip3 chipset. It has four HDMI 1.3 inputs. It is specified at 10,000:1 contrast ratio, 1920×1080 resolution and has optional SDI and HD SDI connections. The BigVizion HDBV5100P ships as an easy-to-install modular system, says Optoma. Also, it comes with a customizable color scheme so you can change the bezel color. Optoma plans to ship this by the end of the first quarter. MSRP will be $34,999. For more information, go to http://www.optomausa.com/index.asp
Eight New LCD TVs From ViewSonic
The 90 Series ranges from 26 to 52 inches, have built-in ATSC/NTSC/QAM TV tuners. The higher end N4290w, N4790w and N5290w are specified at 1080p. The new LCD TVs will have estimated street prices ranging from $249 to $2,499 and begin shipments between March and May. For more information, go to http://www.viewsonic.com/companyinfo/pressrelease_detail.cfm?key_press_release=1980
Panasonic Demos Wireless HD Video System
Unlike conventional wireless transmission technologies, this system uses a 60 GHz-band millimeter wave radio for connectivity as uncompressed HD video requires a large bandwidth. Panasonic's newly-announced VIERA Link feature is available with this system. VIERA Link is an audio/video operation system that uses a single remote to operate an entire home entertainment system connected via HDMI cable. Companies including Panasonic, Intel, LG Electronics, Sony Corp, Samsung Electronics and SiBEAM have been working together to develop this WirelessHD platform. So far, this is prototype only. For more information, go to http://www2.panasonic.com
Flat-Panel Power Spike Protection From Chief
The PACPC1 Power Filter fits with Chief's flat panel wall mounts, extension columns and in-wall accessories. It provides surge protection up to 1890 joules, overvoltage protection shutoff and noise filtering. The accessory includes two outlets and a 2' (61 cm) power cord. For more information, go to http://www.chiefmfg.com/search_results.aspx?quick=PACPC1
Tensioned Advantage Electrol Line From Da-Lite Now Comes Standard With Silent Motor
The Tensioned Advantage Electrol is an aluminum-cased screen with a trim flange designed for a concealed in-ceiling installation. The finished white case is designed for a clean look and allows easy installation of ceiling tiles. The Silent Motor is standard on all sizes up to 9' x 12'. The Silent Motor with built-in Low Voltage Control option is also available. For more information, go to http://www.dalite.com/whats_hot/index.php?wID=169
CSI Updates eduGuides
Created to provide dealers and customers with simple explanations of complex Pro A/V and Broadcast technologies, the complimentary eduGuide series includes eight booklets: Introduction to Fiber Optics; Advantages of Digital Fiber Optics; Fiber Optic Cables, Connectors and Integration; Scan Converters Buyer's Guide; Video Scaling; Advanced Video Scaling; Using an Optical Power Meter for Fiber Optic Installation and Troubleshooting; and the newest eduGuide, Understanding HD in Pro A/V and Broadcast. CSI's eduGuides are available in print and as pdf files. Users can download and/or request printed copies of the eduGuides that interest them via CSI's website, commspecial.com, or by contacting any CSI office. For more information, go to http://www.commspecial.com/press/news_detail.php?id=49&userid=3534
Elite Brings New Screens to CES
HOME2 screens' Maxwhite projection surface is a matte white multi-layered woven screen material in 1.1 gain. The fiberglass reinforced material has black backing to prevent light penetration, and there is an option of either solid or acoustically transparent material. These also have an interchangeable three-way wall switch or extended infrared "eye" sensor to accompany the built in IR and RF. They have a two-inch side border and as much as 30 inches of top masking. Also, they have a built-in 12-volt trigger that synchronizes screen drop and rise with a projector's power cycle. Prices range from $782 to $1,412, depending on size and optional features, and they are shipping now. For more information, go to http://www.elitescreens.com/product_home2.htm
Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with me as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to me at gkayye@kayye.com or for editorial: Denise Harrison at dharrison@kayye.com A little about me: Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry. rAVe ProAV Edition was launched in February 2003. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-sponsored by CEDIA, launched in February, 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to http://www.kayye.com
Copyright 2008 – Kayye Consulting – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact Kayye Consulting, 400 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 425 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: dharrison@kayye.com rAVe HomeAV Edition contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
