Introduction
Welcome to Volume 2, Issue 9! Editorial: The Final Sayye by Gary Kayye
The Projection Aspect Ratio Dilemma Feature Article Special Announcement
Kayye Consulting's AVJob Resume Posting Service
Special Announcement News: 1. Clarity to Debut New Displays
2. Keeping the Speaker Informed
3. Virtual Keyboard Shipping
4. VirTra Announces Personal Dome Virtual Reality System
5. Projection Summit Finalizes Speakers and Agenda
6. Da-Lite Introduces Dual Wall Arm Series
7. New, Bright Micro-Portables From Panasonic
8. Dallas Names AMX One of the Best Places to Work
9. Large Screen Displays Offers Free Education, Interactive Software
10. Intelix Introduces Component Cat 5 Cable and New Audio Matrix Mixer
11. New Photo of Sharp Notevision XR-1S
Feature Article
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Introduction Welcome to Volume 2, Issue 9! InfoComm is less than a month away! Everyone is gearing up for the biggest show in years as the economy seems to be humming along and from the sneak-peaks most manufacturers give members of the press, I have seen more innovation this year than in any year in the 2000's yet. I think this is a good sign for the future of the ProAV market. Of course as in many other years, this event will be packed with new projectors, plasmas and LCDs. But keep your eye on the next-generation uses of the network – not just the displays themselves. InFocus has probably the most innovative approach I've seen so far. And I'm sure there will be plenty more.
But remember that the best part of the show is education. So make sure you are attending at least one seminar or workshop while in Atlanta – there's no excuse not to! And if you're from the K-12 or higher education community, I look forward to seeing you Wednesday morning (June 9th) for the EduComm Keynote Address. If you haven't signed up for this free keynote, read about it below and sign up now as seating is limited. Enjoy this issue of rAVe ProAV Edition and we'll see you at InfoComm '04 in Atlanta, June 9-11. — Gary Kayye, CTS
Click above for more information Editorial: The Final Sayye by Gary Kayye The Projection Aspect Ratio Dilemma By Gary Kayye, CTS I can't think of a more frustrating, seemingly unsolvable, display technology issue than what to do about the impending transition to 16:9. If you read that and haven't a clue what I am speaking about, you either haven't had to make a DVD player work, seamlessly, in a projection environment or you have never had to design systems with the new-fangled laptops from companies like Apple and Dell that output 16:9 or 16:10 (what the heck were they thinking?) aspect ratios. Here's the issue. If you take the (supposedly simple) application of connecting a DVD player to a projector or flat-panel display (or both – and this is where the real doozey of a problem comes in) and try to make it work so that you don't have to manually change aspect ratios with different DVD material; you've got what I am speaking about. The problem is that you can't do it. And, now take that same installation and add one of those 16:10 Apple PowerBooks into the mix, oh boy! First things first. Scenario with a 4:3 Display (projector or flat-panel monitor): - 4:3 Display and a 4:3 DVD or PC: Simple enough. If your source material is always going to be 4:3 and you're displaying on a 4:3 projector or flat-panel monitor then there's really no issue to worry about. This has been the standard application of the ProAV market for 20-years or more.
- 4:3 Display and a 16:9 DVD: OK, a little more tricky, but still fairly simple. If you've got a 4:3 projector or flat-panel monitor and a DVD or PC that's ALWAYS outputting a 16:9 image, you can design the room, environment and the projected image around that. Of course you will have black-bands on the top and bottom of the displayed image as the source material is in a wide-screen format and your display is a standard 4:3 format, but it works. As long as the image height is tall enough, there's no aspect ratio switching needed or complicated programming to switch it. Ah, but when was the last time this application was exactly this way? Read on.
- 4:3 Display with a 16:9 DVD and a 4:3 PC: Now it gets tricky. The 4:3 PC is simple enough — just project it (see #1). But, when you switch between that same 4:3 PC and a 16:9 DVD, this becomes problematic on a 4:3 screen. If you simply display the 16:9 material on a 4:3 screen, you have to deal with two issues: 1) the black bands/bars at the top and bottom of the screen and, 2) if the image height is tall enough for everyone in the room to see it. If you can overcome those pesky black bars, then you've won half of the battle. But, the other half is a bit more difficult to overcome. You can't just assume that the screen/image size picked for a 4:3 projected image is large enough for a 16:9 image – in that same 4:3 space. You see the problem is that the image height is not supposed to be shorter than what it was designed for. In other words, if your environment is designed properly, it was designed with the rule-of-thumb that the least favored viewer (those poor souls sitting in the back of the room) is to place their seats no more than six times the image height – preferably five times. So, if you followed the rules and then you change image height (display 16:9 on a 4:3 screen) then you may throw off the location of the least favored viewer – i.e. the least favored viewer may now be in the 3rd to last row and the two rows behind them are now comprehending nothing, visually. So, simply put, this is the wrong way to design an environment where you are switching between wide-screen (16:9) and full-screen (4:3) images unless you consider this in the beginning and no one is every sitting beyond those rules-of-thumb regardless of image height.
- 4:3 Display with a Multi-Aspect Ratio DVD: This is not just tricky but tough. Let's assume you've designed your room properly for least-favored viewer seating regardless of whether you are displaying 4:3 or 16:9 material – that challenge is out of the way. But, now you've connected a DVD player and you are playing an assortment of DVD's on your DVD player – some 4:3 (or 1.33:1), some 16:9 (1.77:1), some even 1.85:1, and 2.1:1 and even 2.35:1. The wider the aspect ratio, the shorter the projected image on the screen. Now, as you move up in aspect ratio (think Star Wars Episode II, Armageddon and Titanic), the projected image gets skinnier and skinnier (horizontally) on the screen and at some point, the least favored viewer may be in the second row!
So, what's the solution to this aspect ratio problem? I wish I could tell you that there's a simple solution or an answer to the problem, but there isn't. However, what you need to do immediately in applications like those described above is start with a 16:9 screen and a 16:9 projected image (from a 16:9 projector or a 16:9 flat-panel display). Why? Let's take a look. - 16:9 Display and a 4:3 DVD or PC: Simple enough. If your source material is always going to be 4:3 and you're displaying on a 16:9 projector or flat-panel monitor then all you have to do is deal with the black vertical bands on the left and right sides of the projected image. Again, image height is the key in any projected environment so you design the room pretending the screen is 4:3.
- 16:9 Display and a 16:9 DVD: Super simple. It's a one-to-one match in aspect ratio. The image will always fill the screen perfectly.
- 16:9 Display with a 16:9 DVD and a 4:3 PC: This gets a little trickier, but it's still simple. When you're displaying the 16:9 image see #2. When you're displaying 4:3 all you do is let the image fill the screen in height and then, again, deal with the black bars (see #1).
- 16:9 Display with a Multi-Aspect Ratio DVD: This is where the problems start. The 16:9 is fine and the 1.85:1 is un-noticeable, so this isn't where the problems are – it's in the 2.1:1 and the 2.35:1. In both of those cases, you're going to have a lot of black horizontal space at the top and bottom of the projected image, but not nearly as much as with a 4:3 projected image. And, your least-favored viewer is still at or near the back of the room!
But, that's not all. What I've tried to do, above, is address the aspect ratio problem on one projected image – add in a second display in the same room and you multiply the problems (especially if the primary projected image is a 4:3 projector and the secondary image is a 16:9 reference monitor such as a plasma or LCD monitor). I'll address those issues next month and provide you, yet, another reason to consider 16:9 first – rather than as an afterthought.
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Feature Article We asked ICIA to give us a preview of what we can expect at InfoComm 04 – less than a month away now! Below, we hear from ICIA's Randy Lemke about what he's looking forward to and what he thinks you'll enjoy. Fly in Monday… You Won't Want to Miss Tuesday By Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D.
Executive Director
International Communications Industries Association, Inc. (ICIA) This year may be remembered as the first with two Super Tuesdays. The initial Super Tuesday was back in early March when ten states for the first time held primaries the same day. But for those of us in the audiovisual communications industry, our very own Super Tuesday is coming up June 8. That's the day, just a few Tuesdays from now, when InfoComm '04 shifts into high gear at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta with the biggest, broadest festival of special events we've ever assembled for a single day. From golf at dawn to a gala banquet capping off the evening, attendees will find little competition for what they're being offered at InfoComm. This year's gala event, the InfoComm AV Excellence Awards Banquet, offers a presentation and production extravaganza of the sort that people have come to expect of the largest AV communications and presentations show in the world. In addition to dinner, you'll be treated to one of the most entertaining figures in our industry, Randy Pagnan, CEO of Large Screen Displays, who has agreed to serve as host and emcee. He'll do justice to this industry event as ICIA presents a trio of awards, including a brand new Volunteer of the Year Award; the Distinguished Achievement Award, which last year went to Jack H. Culp, CTS, of AVW-TELAV Audio Visual Solutions; and the PETC Educator of the Year Award, which last year was presented to Gary V. Kayye, CTS, of Kayye Consulting – and founder of this e-news magazine. Come to the banquet and find out which six integrator/architect/design consultant teams have won this year's ARCHI-TECH AV Installation Awards for best installed systems. Our rental and staging companies are not to be outdone as ten of them are honored by Rental & Staging Systems magazine for best Staged Events. Both Rental & Staging Systems and Systems Contractor News will take this opportunity to reveal for the first time the winning companies for Best Rental and Best Installation Products (respectively). AVW-TELAV will stage the event, which runs from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., and XL Video will provide Barco Pixel Blocks. Integrated Event Management is producing the show, taking full advantage of all the gear being pulled together for the event. But there's much more on tap for Super Tuesday: If you love golf, you can take to the greens (perhaps with your customers in a foursome) at the award-winning St. Marlo Golf Course in nearby Duluth for the seventh annual International Communications Industries Foundation Golf Tournament. Sponsored this year by BARCO, the tourney runs from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p,m., and can't be beat for combining business with fun, while lending a helping hand to the worthy work of the Foundation. Attendees thirsting for knowledge will find an oasis in Super Tuesday. From AV/IT convergence to the latest technology trends, from project management to how to thrive in the rental and staging market, from collaborative conferencing to a course designed just for technology managers – these six-hour courses are already selling out, so I urge you to find out more — soon! The action resumes after the classes with a dramatic new edition of the Manufacturer's Forum that was a resounding success at last year's show. Questions on consolidation trends in the industry, distribution channels, the consumer and professional markets and the future role of AV systems integrators and consultants will be debated from various perspectives by a distinguished panel of top execs of Crestron, Extron, HP, Polycom, Sony and Telex. After a full day of work and study, everyone deserves a break. So, at 6:30 p.m. kick back, relax, network and find nourishment – on us! — at InfoComm 04's Welcoming Reception. Reception over, it's time for dinner, awards, a good night's sleep, and the official opening of InfoComm's vast exhibition floor bright and early the very next day.
Note: The cost of dinner and drinks at the AV Excellence Awards Banquet is only $50 (members); $75 (non-members). But think about saving money and purchasing a table of 8 for the price of 7 ($350)! To purchase a table, contact sales@infocomm.org To purchase a single ticket, do so through InfoComm registration at http://www.infocomm.org/ic04 ; if you have already registered, contact ExpoExchange Customer Service at 877.225.7469 or 301.694.5243, or for international registrants, e-mail info41.attendee@expoexchange.com
Special Announcement Electrograph, Industry Mourn Loss of Leo Imperial People at Electrograph and far beyond are mourning the loss of an employee who died recently due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Leo Imperial, 36, national sales manager, was said to be one of the most popular people in the industry. "The whole thing is so sad – his people loved working for him,' commented Diana Oldag of InFocus. "His vendors were treated like part of an extended family. It was such a joy to work with – you always knew exactly where you stood." In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to pay respects can contribute to a college fund that has been arranged for Imperial's two teenage sons, Cory and Jesse. You can contribute to: The Imperial College Fund
c/o Electrograph Systems
40 Marcus Blvd.
Hauppauge, NY 11788
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Herbert Browning
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Special Announcement Kayye to Deliver Keynote at EduComm, InfoComm 04 Attendance is free! Keynote Day and Time:
Wednesday, June 9th at 8:00am In the Marcus Auditorium at the Convention Center The International Communications Industries Association, Inc. (ICIA), premier trade association for the professional audiovisual communications industry, and Professional Media Group LLC, the publisher of University Business and District Administration magazines, are pleased to announce the selection of Gary Kayye as the keynote speaker for the EduComm Conference at InfoComm 2004. The EduComm Conference will run June 9 to 11, 2004, in conjunction with InfoComm and is designed to meet the needs of higher education and K-12 leaders. A full slate of sessions is planned in two tracks – one for higher education and one for K-12 – to help education technology professionals bring the benefits of the convergence of AV, IT and multimedia to their schools and campuses. "We are thrilled to have Gary Kayye as our keynote speaker," said Joseph J. Hanson, Chairman of Professional Media Group. "Mr. Kayye has distinguished himself for many years as a visionary technology leader and friend of education, and there is no one more qualified to set the tone for the first EduComm Conference at InfoComm." Kayye was named the ICIA 2003 Educator of the Year by ICIA. "Gary has made tremendous contributions in helping organizations use AV and presentation technologies effectively," said Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., Executive Director of ICIA, "and his keynote at EduComm will provide a dynamic vision that education leaders can take back to their school districts and campuses." "EduComm is a tremendous opportunity for education buyers to keep on top of today's system capabilities as well as to know what to expect next year and the year after that," said Kayye. "It will serve as a central location where manufacturers, systems integrators, buyers and end-users can learn from each other." About Professional Media Group LLC
Professional Media Group LLC is a magazine publisher and conference producer focusing on the education market. Its two primary publications are District Administration, the magazine for leaders in K-12 education, and University Business, the magazine for leaders in higher education. In addition, Professional Media publishes two popular daily e-newsletters – District Daily and UB Daily – with a combined circulation of more than 70,000. Professional Media Group also produces the EduComm Conference at InfoComm, providing education market buyers with the information they need to effectively integrate AV, IT and multimedia into their education programs and facilities. For more information, go to http://www.districtadministration.com/educomm or http://www.universitybusiness.com/educomm Back to top News Have a news tip? Send them to rAVe Editor-in-Chief Denise Harrison — dharrison@kayye.com 1. Clarity to Debut New Displays We got a sneak peak at some of the new products that Clarity will be showing at InfoComm, including two DLP and one LCD displays. The company continues its dedication to the digital signage market, where Clarity has had success in particular with transportation (mostly airlines), command and control and financial among others. The debut at InfoComm will include a killer product called the Margay. Margay is a 50-inch 16:9 DLP display based on imaging technology using the InFocus DLP HD engine and designed for in-wall installation. It is less than 18 inches deep and has zero-mullion for seamless tiling. This will, no doubt, be a huge hit for Clarity further entrenching them as THE high-end display manufacturer in digital signage applications. Also, Clarity will debut the Bengel. Bengel, also using a new InFocus-based DLP engine, is even slimmer than Margay,at just 6.5 inches deep yet still yielding a 61-inch image. This display is pedestal-style and front serviceable, and Clarity has done something simple, yet creative with the panel space below the screen. Clarity designed it so that magnetic signage, such as branding, can cover the panel. Eventually, Clarity will offer it with a built-in literature rack. To round out the InfoComm introductions, Clarity will also show a follow-up, upgradeable version of the Bobcat called Bay Cat. The new Bay Cat is similar to the company's 40-inch Bobcat product only it is bigger and includes an even higher contrast. The Bay Cat is a 46-inch LCD display with 1920 x 1080 native resolution and 900:1 contrast ratio. The Margay, available in August, and will list at $9,995. The Bengel, available in September, will be listed at $10,995 and the Bay Cat, available in September, will list for $11,995. For more information, keep an eye on Clarity's website at http://www.clarityvisual.com/
2. Keeping the Speaker Informed There is nothing more disruptive than having to interrupt a speaker mid-presentation to tell her the mic isn't working, or the display behind her went blank. In one of those "why didn't I think of that?" product introductions, Technical Directions introduced Speaker Touch, a touch panel messaging system that helps the meeting producer or coordinator communicate with the speaker. It has a 2" LED display for messages such as "Time is up," or Speak louder!" There are 16 pre-programmed messages and you can add your own custom messages as well. It's a great concept but it comes at a pretty hefty price. According to the website, it's available by rental only at $200 a day for a four-day week, so $800 per seven-day period, freight not included. Expensive, but for really important speeches, presentations or events, it might well be worth it. For more information, go to http://www.speakertouch.com/toppage1.htm
3. Virtual Keyboard Shipping This adds a dazzle factor to any presentation and on the practical side, it can replace clunky, breakable keyboards. The Virtual Keyboard from iBIZ projects the image of a full size keyboard on any flat surface via laser and infrared technology. As the user types on it, the keyboard uses the coordinates to analyze and "translate" the typing and it can even make clicking sounds like a keyboard if you wish. This thing takes a lot of getting used to as there's a lot of value in mechanical keys, but in applications where a physical keyboard is unlikely to be available conveniently, there's a niche. For example, think of how may times you use a PC in a tradeshow application where all you need the keyboard for is booting it up, shutting it down or simply launching an application. This could be the ultimate space-saver. It's particularly useful for working with a PDA but it can also be used just like a normal keyboard with PCs and laptops in any office, saving quite a bit of desk space. The Virtual Keyboard weighs just two ounces and the company says it's similar in size to a disposable cigarette lighter. Inside is a user-replaceable rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery so it uses its own power rather than draining it from the PDA or PC. It connects to the source using a supplied USB/Serial PC/PDA connector, and it is compatible with PCs and laptops using Windows 98/2000/NT/XP and PDAs with Pocket PC 2002, 2003, Palm OS4.x and Palm OS 5.x as well as other PDAs. The cost is just $99, which makes this sci-fi edge product quite practical as well. For more information, go to http://store.yahoo.com/ibizpda/vike.html or http://www.ibizcorp.com/
4. VirTra Announces Personal Dome Virtual Reality System It looks a little like the "Cone of Silence" from the Get Smart TV series, but this dome is anything but silent. The Immersa-Dome from VirTra is something like a personal I-MAX system, says the company, delivering an immersive multi-sensory projection-based virtual reality experience inside a dome-shaped screen surrounding the head. The company says it's a vast improvement over headset virtual reality systems because it has higher resolution and offers images in the peripheral vision of the viewer in the 360-degree projection. It also has stereo sound, vibration, time-triggered scents, and wind simulation. Applications include custom advertising and promotions. Car companies, for example, could give consumers a full tour and simulated driving experience of their cars and trucks. It's also obviously useful for simulation and training. For more information, go to http://www.virtrasystems.com/ 5. Projection Summit Finalizes Speakers and Agenda The Projection Summit recently announced the keynote speakers and agenda. Keynote speakers for the Projection Summit at this year's InfoComm will be Allen Alley, who was a front projection pioneer at InFocus and later founded Pixelworks, and Kyle Ransom, current COO of InFocus, and previously with Compaq and HP. Kyle's an excellent speaker and brings a great amount of insight to the market so if you can attend, do! The Summit is organized into two tracks of sessions: Technology/Supply Chain and Market/Channel. The Market/Channel track includes digital signage and electronic advertising, education, big screen technologies, and hot verticals. The Technology/Supply chain track includes illumination, new technologies, and a component supply chain review. For details, go to http://www.insightmedia.info/PS04/conference.html 6. Da-Lite Introduces Dual Wall Arm Series Da-Lite introduced a Dual Wall Arm Series to the Advance line of Quick Link Monitor Mounts. The Dual Wall Arm Series includes eight new models to accommodate both standard monitors and plasma units and will support up to 300 lbs. on wood, concrete or steel stud surfaces. These units are available for attachment to walls with studs on 16" or 24" centers and can accommodate standard monitors in sizes up to 35" diagonal and plasma units in sizes up to 42" diagonal. The Dual Wall Arm Series features 25" arms to allow for additional wall clearance for larger monitors. For more information, go to http://www.da-lite.com/whats_hot/index.php?wID=55
7. New, Bright Micro-Portables From Panasonic Panasonic has a new series of micro-portable LCD projectors with XGA resolution that are as small as a notebook computer. The PT-LB10 projector family consists of a wireless-capable, 2000-lumens projector, the PT-LB10NTU, and a 2000-lumen, the PT-LB10U unit, and the 1600-lumens PT-LB10VU. Contrast ratio is specified at 500:1 for the PT-LB10NTU and PT-LB10U and 400:1 for the PT-LB10VU. They all weigh less than five pounds. The PT-LB10NTU comes with an IEEE 802.11b-compliant LAN card and Wireless Manager ME software for wireless operating range up to 55 yards, or 50 meters. It has a "Live" mode for single-user presentations, or a "Multi-live" mode for up to four presenters. In Multi-live mode, data from up to four PCs can be projected in either a Four Window with four equally-sized windows on-screen or Index style for thumbnail size images along the bottom of the screen, selectable using the remote. These projectors have a couple of unique features including the ability to freeze, store and place a still image next to the ongoing presentation, and an AI that adjusts the lamp power for picture optimization. In addition, a large-diameter short-throw lens allows projection of a 100-foot image from 10 feet away. MSRPs of the PT-LB10NTU, PT-LB10U and PT-LB10VU are $3,599, $2,999 and $2,599 respectively. For more information, go to
http://www.panasonic.com/business/provideo/news/news04_nab_31.asp
8. Dallas Names AMX One of the Best Places to Work A Dallas Business Journal Metroplex poll named AMX the third best mid-size company to work for in the area. The Dallas Business Journal surveyed employers and employees about topics such as business success, personal and professional development, corporate culture, benefits and leadership. AMX says the company supports its employees through a strong benefit and compensation program, continuous learning opportunities and the chance to grow professionally and personally. "AMX employees go above and beyond the call of duty to make the Company a success, while also contributing significantly to charitable community programs." For more information, go to http://www.amx.com
9. Large Screen Displays Offers Free Education, Interactive Software Large Screen Displays is helping the channel with a free software prototyping design tool called Piro Techniques. The tool includes two PowerPoint presentations and five interactive tools. The PowerPoint presentations include one for helping design boardrooms, command/control centers, training facilities and more and the other educates about the company's Pi products and applications. The five interactive tools include an EZ Planner Room Layout, Design Concepts (explaining the eye, pixels, lumens, and much more), and Eye Charts for 50" – 150" diagonal screen sizes, Test Screens for font sizes and colors, and Pi Products and Services overview. For more information, go to http://www.largescreendisplays.com
10. Intelix Introduces Component Cat 5 Cable and New Audio Matrix Mixer Intelix made a couple of announcements this week, including a new audio/video cable for delivering component transmission up to 1000 feet over one Cat 5 twisted pair cable. The new V1-CV is part of Intelix's balun product line which is designed to replace multiple coaxial video and twisted pair cables. The company also introduced the MARC E, an audio matrix mixer designed for audio room combine applications such as convention centers, conference facilities, hotels, houses of worship, etc. The MARC E allows remote system access, diagnostics, and monitoring capabilities from within the building or over the internet. It also has dual communication ports for two RS232 connections: 1) the standard rear panel connection, and 2) a front panel connection for quicker, easier-to-access diagnostics. For more information, go to http://www.intelix.com
11. New Photo of Sharp Notevision XR-1S Last issue we reported on a new projector from Sharp, but we included the "group" photo published on the Sharp website. Here is an updated photo of the new projector. For more information, go to http://www.sharpusa.com/products/FunctionPressReleaseSingle/0,1080,435-9,00.html Back to top
Feature Article D-Class Amplifiers – High Efficiency, Small Size, Lower Power but Big Big Sound By Gordon Moore Gary Kayye has long held that in the coming years, technical advances will be coming to us not from the professional world but more from the consumer world. In effect, the early adopters (in their higher numbers in consumer products) will help fund the research and development that used to lie in the realm of professional products. Every audio system, whether that found on a laptop computer, or in a full blown cinema or anything in between, relies ultimately on amplifiers to deliver the audio to the user. For the typical AV system, the amplifiers have long presented some design problems and issues. The first has been inefficiency. Class A or A/B amplifiers typically delivered required power levels only by using a great deal more power. To generate a sine wave of 25watts, the amplifier would consume 50 watts. Where does this extra power go? Literally as heat. So, in addition to adding considerable load to the electrical system for a fairly low return, the amplifier also serves as a heat source in the rack, warming up literally every other component in the system. Add to this the coming dominance of DSP processors in the rack with their attendant higher power consumption and heat generation. So, now you have to take precious rack space up with in rack fans and their attendant increased power load. Perhaps the heat load becomes sufficient now to require a cooling duct from the HVAC system into the equipment room to prevent thermal overload. It can become a cascading problem sometimes overlooked by the system designer. Now consider also that surround sound systems also require larger bass amplifiers which require much higher power levels than those needed for speech frequency response. The human ear perceives bass levels with much lower sensitivity. For a typical listener to say they hear 40Hz equal in level to 2KHz, you have to design a system that delivers at least 40dB more power for that 40Hz signal. In other words, if you only need 1 watt for the required level at 2KHz, to deliver "equal volume" at 40Hz, the amplifier will have to put out 200 watts. In short, to deliver that heavy bass beat in an AV installation, you will have to have a fairly massive amplifier dedicated to that subwoofer. In my home theater system, my front and rear amplifier channels probably idle along at less than 1 watt in each channel for about 75dB level. But I have a 250W subwoofer. Here's where the consumer world has driven audio amplifier development. Modern auto sound system can now deliver incredible levels of power without overloading the car frame with massive and oversized amplifiers. Small portable DVD players offer great headphone audio while running a long time on batteries. How do they do it? The Class D amplifier. The D designator is sometimes incorrectly referred to as standing for Digital. This is incorrect. Basically the D designator is just that, a designator for fourth in the chain. The design does have a "digital" component to it however but they are not considered digital devices and typically have analog inputs. The D class amplifier uses Pulse Wide Modulation (PWM sometimes also called pulse duration modulation). The analog signal is modulated (ie combined) with a very high frequency signal or carrier wave in a sawtooth wave form. Philips Semiconductors, for example, uses a 360KHz waveform for their line of Class D component, well above the human hearing response. The resultant signal is a digital form that maintains the same frequency of the sawtooth waveform with elements of the original analog signal. This digital signal is amplified (in the digital realm) then remixed at the output stage (at the higher amplitude) for restoration of the original signal at higher levels. The design MUST include a low pass filter at both ends of the output stage to filter out the high frequency sawtooth waveform. If that wasn't filtered out, we would not hear it but the poor speaker would either be working its tail off to generate something we can't hear OR (more likely), it would be generating a lot of heat and failing prematurely. Why go this route? Efficiency. The typical D class amplifier can deliver nearly 90% efficiency at high levels and 80% at lower levels. It takes less electrical power to deliver more acoustical power, with lower heat generation. Your laptop probably has a small D-class amplifier for your headphones, as does your MPEG music player, the output of your PDA and other small devices. Bigger versions are popular in many car systems and home theater installations are beginning to feature D-class as larger amplifier components become available. The audio purist will still ascribe to the Class A amplifiers but in the modern AV installation, D-class based system will make more sense from a power management point of view. Look for increased offerings in Class-D amplifiers for large AV installations as considerations for power consumption and heat dissipation call for better system efficiency. Gordon Moore is Vice President of Sales for Lectrosonics, Inc., an audio manufacturer in Rio Rancho, NM. Gordon is a Senior Faculty Member for the ICIA Academy and was elected ICIA Educator of the Year in 2000. He also sits on the ICIA Professional Education and Training Committee (PETC). He holds a B.S. Degree from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. 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 and news tips, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to me at gkayye@kayye.comClick here to forward Gary Kayye's rAVe to a friend Click here to subscribe 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. Gary Kayye's rAVe was launched in February 2003. The new rAVe Home Edition co-sponsored by CEDIA launched in February, 2004. To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to http://www.kayye.com Back to top
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