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Welcome to another edition of rAVe HomeAV! Can you imagine a Blu-ray disc that can hold 400GB?? Soon, you won’t have to. Pioneer has done it and will sell the technology to other manufacturers! You can read about it in today’s news. Also, Syntax-Brillian is in financial trouble and filed for Chapter 11. This may be the beginning of a market consolidation. It had to happen with the television market eventually. And thanks to Da-Lite’s Blake Brubaker for another great installment of Angles of Reflection. This time, he explains factors in uniformity. Enjoy the issue! –Gary Kayye, CTS Click above for more information
Uniformity – Revisited Interestingly enough, I was recently posed a question about whether or not it was appropriate to use an extremely bright projector in a certain visual display system. The person who asked was concerned because they were using what they considered to be a moderately sized screen. The main focus of the question had to do with the potential of a “ hotspot” with this extremely bright projector. My quick response to that question was to ask further questions about the project in order to help determine if we would, indeed, have a problem. After a bit of investigation, we determined that there were no significant issues or concerns which would point to the phenomena known as “hotspotting”. I think the one item that struck me most about this conversation was the fact that there seems to be a misunderstanding about why a hotspot exists and the fact that more light output from the projector triggers one to think that it could be present. Let us examine those concerns a bit more closely to see if there is merit in them.
In order to evaluate these concerns, we must first understand how a projection screen works and, furthermore, how it is that a hotspot can exist. One of the most basic principles we need to understand about a hotspot is that the screen itself is not the factor at fault for the hotspot’s existence. Therefore, it must be the projector. Correct? Well, not exactly. The cause of a hotspot has more to do with the fact that we are using a small lens to project an image onto a large screen and can further be exaggerated by a screen which has a high gain. Let us break this down further to examine both the screen and projector/lens portions of this display to see why this occurs.
There are three basic functions which a front projection screen can do with light rays that are incident to its surface. They are: Scatter, Refract or Reflect. A screen which scatters light has, as one of its main elements, Magnesium Carbonate (MgCO3). It just so happens that this is also the material used as a reference point for determining gain of a projection screen. The reason MgCO3 is used for both of these applications is its ability to scatter light incident to its surface in a fashion that is equal in all directions. The best way to think of this is to imagine one tiny little light ray hitting the surface and then being broken into countless other smaller light rays that bounce off the screen equally in all different directions such that one cannot detect from where the incident light ray originated. In other words, since this type of screen performs in what we call an Isotropic fashion, light incident to the surface will be bounced off equally in all directions regardless of the angle of incidence. With that in mind, one might already come to the conclusion that a screen which scatters light could not exaggerate a hotspot. While indeed this is true, let us look further into the other two types of surfaces. It is worth noting at this time, that screens which scatter light are typically those exhibiting a gain of 1.0 also commonly known as Matte White.
A screen which is said to have Refractive characteristics is one which has some type of glass structure to it. Do not, however, confuse this type of screen with a rigid rear projection glass screen. That is not the type of glass we are referring to for this example. Instead, we are talking about front projection screens which have glass beads either adhered to their front surface or imbedded into the structure of the screen itself. These are better known as glass-beaded or High Power screen surfaces. In Figure 1 below, we see what occurs with these surfaces as light incident to their surface passes through the thousands of tiny little beads and is bent at angles dependent upon where they strike the bead. After passing through the bead, the light ray strikes a surface similar to Matte White where it is scattered and then passed back through the beads before exiting the screen surface. This type of screen is also referred to as a Retro-Reflective screen because it bounces the light back towards the direction in which it originated. So, could a hotspot occur here? Before we answer that question, let us look at the third and final type of front projection screen.
Figure 1
Alright, we now know the three characteristics of a front projection screen and the basics of how light from a lens strikes a screen surface. Let us put the two together and see if a brighter projector automatically creates the potential for a hotspot. Before we do, there is at least one item we must presume about the projector. With only a few exceptions, LCD, DLP and other “digital” projectors manufactured today provide uniformity across their fields that may vary from center to edge by as little as 10%. So, for the purposes of discussion, we will say that the projector we have chosen meets these criteria. This may seem a bit trivial, but it is very important when determining the uniformity of your overall visual display. If the projector itself is not uniform, then we could have severe problems with our display. Remember the old CRT projectors?
If we were to place the light coming from a very bright projector onto a scattering or Matte White screen, do we have the potential for a hotspot? The answer to this is definitely not. Remember even if we have harsh bend angles from the light striking the screen, a scattering screen disperses the light back in a fashion that is equal in all directions. So the potential here is non-existent.
Let us examine further a screen which is Refractive. Here we have a different scenario. Given that a Refractive screen will send the most concentrated portion of the light back towards the source, we do have the potential but not perhaps as great as one might think. Since this type of screen is very directional in its dispersion pattern, our audience will likely be seated within the parameters of the screen and this minimizes the potential.
As we learned above, a Reflective screen behaves such that the angle of incidence is equal and opposite of the angle of reflection. This then, provides a scenario where we could be off axis of the “sweet spot” of the reflection for differing portions of the screen. Given that, we can assume that our potential for a hotspot increases slightly as we use a Reflective screen. However, does more light from a projector infer that we will have a uniformity issue? The quick answer to that is also no. Remember a hotspot is not created by the brightness output of a projector. It is created by the relationship between the projector’s lens function and the screen’s directionality. Providing that we use a long enough focal length lens (by my experience at least 1.6), we should not have any issues with uniformity regardless of the screen chosen. If then, the display requires a short focal length lens, we now know that we must use a low gain “Scattering” screen to help minimize the potential for hotspotting. So remember, brighter does not always mean that we will have uniformity issues. We must make our decisions of screen selection and lens selection based on this knowledge.
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CEDIA EXPO September 3-7 • Denver, CO Register now to attend the #1 tradeshow in the residential electronic systems industry. Don't forget: –CEDIA University will offer select courses free to members, but space is limited. Reserve your space when you register to attend. Technology Seminars: What’s New & What’s Next Green will cover technologies that aren’t yet, but soon will be, in the market during his seminar Future Technologies: The Inside Scoop from Silicon Valley, to be held Thursday, September 4 at 2:00 p.m. (View page 34 of the registration brochure for course description.) Heiss will provide an update on what you need NOW in his New Technologies Update Seminar Friday, September 5 at 2:00 p.m. (View page 34 of the registration brochure for course description.) Seats are filling fast – reserve your space when you register for CEDIA EXPO! Learn more at www.cedia.org/expo or register now.
Live e-Learning In need of industry training and CEDIA CEUs, but don’t have time to travel? Take part in CEDIA's limited-time-only live e-Learning. Top CEDIA University instructors will lead interactive sessions on a range of topics at both beginner and advanced skill levels in all five CEDIA University colleges. Live e-Learning courses, which will run either 90 or 180 minutes each, will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays at 12:00 p.m. EDT now through August at www.cedia.org/elearning_webinar. Each course will be archived and available for later purchase after the webinar session. Click above for more information
Registered Outreach Instructor “Train the Trainer” session Contact Peggy Ward at (800) 669-5329 ext. 164, or click here to register.
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Syntax-Brillian Files for Chapter 11, Puts Vivitar on the Block Syntax-Brillian, parent to Olevia HDTVs and the Vivitar brand, has filed for Chapter 11. Chapter 11 provides protection from creditors while a company reorganizes and makes new plans toward profitability. The company also announced plans to sell the Vivitar brand of cameras. In addition, Syntax-Brillian expects to be delisted from NASDAQ trading. In the announcement, the company announced a whole lot of management changes, including the resignations of all but one board member. To read the press release, go to http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=146224&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1172491&highlight=
Sub-$1,000 Projector, New 1080p Projector From Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Digital Electronics announced at InfoComm a new $999 home theater projector, the HC1600 HD. This is specified at 720p resolution with 1700 lumens and 2500:1 contrast ratio. This is a DLP model using TI’s latest chip, the DDP3020 Digital Light Processing TrueVision Image processing with BrilliantColor. It has HDMI and DVI inputs and digital keystone correction. This ships in August. For more information, go to http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/products/projectors/HC1600.html The new 1080p from Mitsubishi is the HC5500. This is specified at 1920×1080, 10,000:1 contrast ratio and 1200 lumens. A great feature is its low 19 dB noise level, one of the lowest in the industry. The HC5500 is a 3LCD projector and incorporates the HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) video processor as well as the Reon-VX video processing chip. The price tag on the HC5500 is $2,499 and it is shipping now. For more information, go to http://www.mitsubishi-presentations.com/products/projectors/HC5500.html
Extron Introduces High Performance RGB to HDMI Scaler Extron introduced at InfoComm the RGB-HDMI 300, a high performance RGB to HDMI scaler that converts incoming analog component video and RGBHV signals to HDMI signals. . It accepts HDTV and high resolution computer-video signals up to 1920×1200, and offers multiple, selectable HDMI output rates up to 1920×1200, including HDTV 1080p/60. The RGB-HDMI 300 is housed in a compact, low-profile enclosure for placement behind flat-panel displays, and offers several features for streamlining integration and enhancing system operation, including Auto Input Memory, Auto-Image setup, and RS-232 serial control. The RGB-HDMI 300 is especially suited for applications where newer consumer-based displays, equipped only with HDMI inputs, are to be used with sources that output analog RGB computer-video, or in an environment with an existing analog RGB signal distribution infrastructure. It can also be used in systems where consolidation of various source signals to a single, common output resolution is desired. For example, the RGB-HDMI 300 can be installed at the output of a switcher, with its HDMI output feeding the display. For more information, go to http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=rgbhdmi300
Belkin Delivering Wireless Video and Audio Around the Home Belkin announced two products in its new FlyWire product line, a line that allows you to wirelessly connect devices such as Blu-ray players, receivers, video game consoles and set-top boxes to HDTVs and projectors to transmit, they say, in 1080p. Belkin says this line is designed to provide a whole-home range regardless of walls and AV cabinets. It operates in the open 5GHz band, and Belkin says it intelligently manages its own connection, adjusting both frequency and power to avoid interference and overcome impedances. Belkin also says that, because FlyWire does not compress video, it transmits video content with no latency. FlyWire comes with a transmitter that connects to AV components (digital HD or analog) and a receiver that mounts to the HDTV, allowing you to place the HDTV in the living room, kitchen, or even outdoors. The FlyWire for whole-home range will be available in October for $999.99. The FlyWire R1 for a single room install will be available in the first quarter of 2009 for $699.99. For more information, go to http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/07_10_08FlyWire.html
New Belkin Powerline Networking Adapters Designed to Reach Difficult Areas in the Home Belkin has a new line of Powerline Networking Adapters for transmitting content from the Internet directly to the home theater system and computer using the wires already in the home. These are especially designed for hard-to-reach areas in the home. At the top of the line is Powerline AV+, which offers three ports on its adapter to support up to three devices, such as a gaming console, set-top box, or computer. It also includes a single-port Adapter to plug into your router. Transfer speeds of up to 200Mbps make Powerline AV+ ideal for streaming HD media from your computer to your home entertainment system. Belkin says setup of Powerline is simple with its plug-and-play connectivity. Plug one end of the Adapter into an available wall outlet and connect the other end to any device with an available Ethernet port. Several Powerline models will ship in October with Starter Kits beginning at $99.99. For more information, go to http://www.belkin.com/pressroom/releases/uploads/07_10_08PowerlineAV.html
Epson Offering Home Theater Bundle for Dealers and Installers Epson announced shipments of the Ensemble HD Home Cinema System, a bundled solution the company is offering to dealers and installers. The bundle comes with a choice among Epson PowerLite 3LCD projectors with either 1080p or 720p resolution, a 100-inch motorized screen, AV controller with integrated upconverting DVD player, a new Atlantic Technology speaker system with an exclusive 150-watt subwoofer and all 5.1 channels, a universal remote that controls the entire system, including the screen, all cables, all mounting brackets and a wire management track system. The Ensemble HD Home Cinema System is available for a MSRP of $6,999 for the 1080p system, and $4,999 for the 720p version. For more information, go to http://www.ensemblehd.com/
Device Brings International Internet TV Stations to the Television Without PCs The WhereverTV receiver is an affordable device that hooks directly to the television and, using broadband, delivers international television stations to the screen. This small box (5” x 5” x 1”) weighs just 6 ounces. The company says there are more than 25,000 television stations around the world and currently, 2,000 of them are simulcasting over the Internet. WhereverTV also lets users access user-generated videos on a number of sites. The WhereverTV box helps organize all this content. The company says it’s very easy to connect. Right now, you can buy the box for $199 and no subscription or any other ongoing fees are required. They plan to later offer premium services, but the owner won’t be required to subscribe to those; it will be optional. For more information, go to http://www.wherever.tv/WhereverTVHomeJSP.jsf
Open Air Cinema to Ship Outdoor Theater System Open Air Cinema announced a bundled system that lets you install an entire home theater outside. The CineBox Home is a “backyard theater system” that comes with a new nine-foot inflatable wide-format movie screen, projector, outdoor speakers, audio mixer, cables, and more. The company says the inflatable screen is easier to set up than a pup tent and is inflated using a quiet blower. When deflated, the 123-inch diagonal movie screen weighs about eight pounds and fits inside a duffle bag. Included are the screen, yard stakes, a Sanyo DLP projector, two outdoor speakers, a DVD player, audio mixer, cables and adapters, an LED light for nighttime set up, the blower and heavy-duty carrying cases. This ships July 25 with, (somehow!!??), a price of $1,499, according to the website. For more information, go to http://www.openaircinema.us/index.htm
KODAK Announces Device to Connect Internet Photos, Video to TV KODAK announced a product that will let consumers view their “memories” on their televisions. The company is calling this the KODAK Theatre HD Player, which is a confusing, if not misleading, product name, since it appears that all that this box will let consumers display or play internet media files on the television. Not that such a device isn’t needed, but calling it a Theatre HD Player makes it sound like it has an internal hard drive or some sort of built-in storage, which it does not. It does, however, have a USB port, flash card slots and outputs such as HDMI, component, etc. Online partners so far include KODAK’s own KODAK Gallery, Flickr, YouTube and RadioTime. KODAK begins a market test in September (let’s hope they consider adding storage, since preliminary pricing is a hefty $300). For more information, go to http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=2709&pq-locale=en_US&gpcid=0900688a809385d9
Sony to Compete in Movie/TV Download Biz Sony announced the PLAYSTATION Network, which will let PLAYSTATION3 AND PlayStationPortable users download full-length movies, TV shows and original programming via the PLAYTATION Store. Sony says there are currently nearly 300 full length movies and more than 1,200 TV episodes available, many in both standard-definition and high-definition. The service initially offers content for video rental and electronic sell-through from studios including: 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate Entertainment, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Warner Bros. Entertainment as well as titles for rent from The Walt Disney Studios and a wide-ranging menu of popular titles from a variety of other television partners. The video delivery service will have full integration in the PLAYSTATION Network, using the same login, wallet management, and user interface of the newly revamped PLAYSTATION Store. Video will be categorized by top rating, alphabetical order, television shows, and movies and content is also fully searchable, for example, by title, producer, studio and cast. Sony says users can view content shortly after the downloading process begins. Background downloading is also a feature of PS3. For more information, go to http://www.us.playstation.com/News/PressReleases/480
Wisdom Bringing High-End Sage Series to CEDIA Wisdom Audio announced the company is bringing its new Sage Series high-end architectural and freestanding speaker systems to CEDIA in Denver. This system is scheduled to ship prior to the show. Wisdom Audio will bring to market four speaker configurations, ranging from 20 inches to 75 inches tall, each available as an in-wall, on-wall, or freestanding solution. Multiple center channels, an in-wall subwoofer, integrated Audyssey Laboratories room correction software, and dedicated electronics round out the new product offerings. The company says Sage Series speakers incorporate new generation proprietary thin film planar magnetic drivers which allow for its narrow and shallow physical characteristics. For more information, go to http://www.wisdomaudio.com/
Pioneer Develops 400GB Disc PC World reports that Pioneer has developed a new disc similar to Blu-ray only with 16 layers of 25GB capacity in each for a whopping 400GB capacity. Blu-ray, by example, has 25GB on a one-sided disc. PC World reports that Pioneer does not plan to produce these but, instead, plans to license the technology to manufacturers who would make it themselves. It was also reported that the technology is very nearly ready for market. To read the story, go to http://www.pcworld.com/article/147999/pioneer_develops_400gb_optical_disc.html 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 gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial: Editor-in-Chief Denise Harrison at denise@ravepubs.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 https://www.ravepubs.com Copyright 2008 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: denise@ravepubs.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.
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