Volume 12, Issue — August 6, 2015
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Industry News Control & Signal Processing Projection Audio Unified Collaborative Conferencing Media Players, Recording & Distribution Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories Displays
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2015 Best of InfoComm Awards
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
Welcome to rAVe’s annual Best of InfoComm Awards! This year’s InfoComm show was held in June in Orlando and had a record 39,105 attendees. It’s tough to pick out the best and the brightest from the thousands of products and hundreds of exhibitors introduced on the show floor. After much consideration, our entire staff picked what we thought were the best things on the show floor. Congratulations to all the winning companies!
To see videos of all the products from the show floor, check out our complete InfoComm coverage here.
Click each link below to see the winner and watch a video or read a story about the product.
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Five Tips for Doing Military AV Work
By Mark Coxon rAVe Blogger
I had the unique pleasure of helping an existing integrator open up its business to new verticals to see where it may be best suited to be profitable based on the type of work involved. If you work for an integrator, you know that each vertical market has its own unique personality, especially when it comes to how you win jobs and how the vertical addresses things like the RFP process, bid evaluations, plus payments terms and schedules.
One vertical that I explored was the military. I responded to an open bid on www.FBO.gov, where government entities are required to post their RFPs. I found an opportunity to bid on some AV work for the Maritime Operations Center for the US Navy. I attended a job walk as required, made some notes, and then set myself to the task of winning the job, which I did. In that process, I found that there were several pieces of the puzzle that took a lot of time to learn along the way, that if known ahead of time, could have made winning that job easier, and determining the payment and verification schedule much easier. So in the spirit of education and helping integrators better navigate these waters and win more jobs, I thought I’d share a five tips on how to win more military work and make it more profitable.
1) Know your FAR Clauses
FAR stands for Federal Acquisition Regulations and if you respond to military RFPs, you will notice myriad Part 52 FAR clauses at the end. These tell you a lot of important information about qualifying for the project including business types eligible, expectations, needed clearances, etc. You should familiarize yourself with these clauses and as you read through them, make a note of the ones that may seem problematic for your business or processes. Then when you are scanning for opportunities, you can quickly look through the FAR clauses scanning for ones you already know may be deal breakers; e.g., If you don’t have staff with current military background clearance checks for Top Secret spaces, you may skip submitting. There is nothing worse than spending time creating proposals for a project that you find out later you don’t qualify to bid on or install.
2) Ask Better Questions
Most of the RFPs I responded to for military jobs had either mandatory job walks or at least the opportunity for a site visit with the contact before bidding. Even if the scope seems mundane, make sure you take the opportunity to get some time on site. There are all sorts of nuances to military work, including knowing the construction requirements. One job I did was in a “secret” space, where walls had to have a metal layer to stop sound transfer. Managing cables into that space was tricky, and there were only certain places that we were allowed to penetrate those metal barriers. While on site, you also get face time with the contact or contact team. Make sure you ask good questions to isolate all of the small things that may not be in the RFP. I once uncovered that the RFP mentioned AMX, but upon asking the team about the control GUI requirements, I found they had certified Crestron programmers on their N6 Communications staff. We also found that special security measures meant that all control systems needed to be hardwired and tethered, as IR, RF, and Wi-Fi were unable to be used in the rooms. Ask good questions and you’ll differentiate both yourself and your bid. Afterwards the Captain asked me to stay and made sure he wrote down my company’s name, which was a good sign.
3) Define FOB Destinations
Some military jobs can be rather large and require the purchase of expensive equipment that needs to be tested and commissioned well before the actual installation. In the commercial space, our company always collected a 50 percent non-refundable deposit at the start of a job to cover these costs and get projects started. In military installations, this methodology typically doesn’t work. If the FOB destination is defined as the job site, you won’t be able to invoice for anything until it arrives onsite and is signed off by the point of contact. If you have a three-month rack build and test, this could really but some strain on company cash flow.
The best thing to do is to define FOB destination in your bid if possible. You can then define all of your rack components, rack mountable electronics and test equipment with the FOB destination of your facility. This allows you to invoice once it arrives there for build and commissioning. The military then typically has a short window of time to come to your facility and verify it is there if they so choose before signing off. You can still keep FOB destination for things like projection screens and LFDs as the military installation if you are shipping those things directly to site.
4) Make Substitutions
As an integrator doing work in the more traditional corporate and education spaces, I rarely made substitution requests for specified equipment unless I had a compelling reason. It was a lot of work to put together documentation for the alternate equipment, and many times the suggested substitution would be nixed by the consultant or architect anyway. This meant that most of the time, I bid the brands and models for which the client asked.
Now many times this logic will hold true in military jobs as well, especially if there is an existing standard or skill-set, (like the Crestron programmers on staff mentioned above), so I am not suggesting a wholesale substitution of every part in the RFP. However, I advise you to watch carefully for four letters in every military RFP.
Those letters are LPTA.
This stands for Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. Any time you see this in regards to a component or a job as a whole, I suggest you value engineer it or someone else will. This really says “we will buy the cheapest solution that fits our minimum requirements.” Make substitutions whenever you see LPTA and I guarantee you will increase your chances of winning the project.
5) Be Creative in Your Formatting
This is a piece of advice that will only be helpful in winning multiple projects at the same facility or with the same decision makers. Many times when putting together your project proposal for military work, you may be asked to submit two proposals. One is the “technical proposal” and the other is the “price proposal.”
The main difference between the two is that the technical proposal does not include pricing. One team evaluates all the technical proposals, while another team evaluates all the price proposals. They reach two independent conclusions and then come together to compare. Hopefully they choose the same one, but if not, it’s discussion time.
Oh yeah, there is one more important detail about these proposals. They can’t include your company name. The teams are evaluating them blindly, so as to assure that favoritism is not a part of the decision making process. Only the contracting official is supposed knows who wrote the proposals so he can notify once the decision is made.
This is where you get creative with your formatting. Some well-placed font sizes and colors, right justified print, bullets, etc. all may be within the realm of proper submittal guidelines, and can act as a “signature” in the absence of your company name. If you have done work with the group before, and you did it well, they will be looking for you in the stack of “anonymous” proposals this time as well. It’s human nature.
So there you have five easy tips that may just mean the difference between winning or losing your next military RFP. The learning curve can be a little daunting, so hopefully I flattened it out a bit. This information served me well in the past, so much that I used to have one contracting officer that would actually call me every time a new RFP he was in charge of hit the FBO site as to make sure I didn’t miss it and that I was submitting a number. Leave a Comment
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Sharp Exits Consumer TV Market in Americas — Sort of (Updated)
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
Reuters reported this morning that Sharp Corporation has decided to exit the TV market in North and South America.
They’ve not been profitable in the TV market in years and after a $2 Billion refinance, they promised to eliminate 5,000 jobs — this was the best and easiest way to do that. Cut the department hemorrhaging money.
But, just as they announced that, it was announced that China’s Hisense Group says they have purchased the rights to the Sharp brand in North and South America. Hisense Group bought all equity and assets of Sharp’s TV factory in Mexico for $23.7 million with rights to use the “Sharp” brand name and all its channel resources in both both regions. This acquisition will have Hisense completely taking over Sharp’s TV business in these regions.
So, what about commercial monitors?
We just had a conversation with Sharp Senior Vice President of Marketing and Operations Mike Marusic and he was kind enough to share all the commercial AV details with our us. So, this deal has nothing to do with the professional or prosumer line of Sharp displays. In fact, every new product launched at InfoComm is still on schedule as announced at the show — including the new 4K line, the 90” and all the AQUOS Board products. Marusic explained that the consumer TVs are manufactured at separate factories and separate production lines.
We have obtained a copy of an internal memo to Sharp employees that was just released — it’s from Toshihiko Fujimoto, Regional Chief Officer for North & South America, Sharp Corporation Chairman & CEO, Sharp Electronics Corporation. If you want to read it, click here [PDF].
So, the summary: Our industry is not affected by this change within Sharp and, in fact, it is likely that Sharp will become a better commercial monitor provider as more resources that may have been spent on the consumer line could now be shifted to support the B2B world.
Sharp’s professional line is here and its AQUOS Board line is here. Leave a Comment
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NSCA Announces Leadership Changes for 2015 & 2016The NSCA Board of Directors has elected a new officer to its executive committee, who assumed his role on July 1, 2015.
Dave Ferlino, regional operations manager at Whitlock, joins the NSCA Board of Directors executive committee in his new position as secretary. Ferlino joins the following executive committee members who are continuing their positions from last year:
- NSCA President: Michael Hester, managing partner for Beacon Communications
- NSCA Immediate Past President: Ingolf de Jong, president and principal partner of General Communications
- NSCA Vice President: Ray Bailey, president of Lone Star Communications
- NSCA Treasurer: Josh Shanahan, president of Sport View Technologies
Rob Simopoulos, president at Advance Technology, begins his first three-year term as a member of NSCA’s Board of Directors. He joins the following board members who are continuing their terms from last year:
- Michael Boettcher, Advanced AV
- Kelly McCarthy, Genesis Integration
- Ron Prier, RPAV
- Anne Sellers, Sensory Technologies
- Paul Thomas, Northland Control Systems
Jeff Kindig, vice president of marketing strategy at AMX, will remain as president of the NSCA Education Foundation Board of Directors, which has now grown to be the largest board in NSCA Education Foundation history. He serves alongside officers Stephen Kohler of Shure (vice president) and Catherine Shanahan of Shanahan Sound (secretary/treasurer).Shannon Townley, president of SurgeX and Energy Intelligence Solution Sales, will remain in his role as an NSCA Education Foundation board member, along with Laurie Englert, vice president of marketing for Milestone AV Technologies.
New to the NSCA Education Foundation Board of Directors are Kelly Perkins, marketing and communications manager for AVI Systems, and Michael Shinn, director of operations for IMS Technology Services’ systems integration division. Ingolf de Jong, NSCA Board of Directors’ immediate past president, will also be joining the NSCA Education Foundation board, along with Paul Cronin, senior vice president at Atrion Networking.
For more information about NSCA or the NSCA Education Foundation, go here.
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Crestron Intros PinPoint Mobile for Mobile Control of Enterprise TechnologyCrestron’s new PinPoint Mobile app gives end users access to their “full enterprise infrastructure.” They will be able to see their full calendars, find an an available meeting room, book it and invite attendees, not matter their location. One can go into a meeting and instantly take control of the room using the same app.
When a user enters the room for a meeting she scheduled, the room can automatically “wake up” to her personal room settings preferences (set through the app interface) and start the meeting. She can take control of everything in the room from the same app — AV, lights, temperature and shades. For a scheduled videoconference, she can tap the app to automatically turn on the room display, lower the shades, dim the lights and dial up the invited attendees.
Communicating with Crestron PinPoint Proximity Detection Beacons (PP-100) installed in rooms throughout the building, the PinPoint Mobile app can display the nearest available meeting rooms and huddle spaces whenever an end user needs one.
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Smart-e Debuts HDMI Extenders and SplittersSmart-e has launched a range of “cost effective” HDMI extenders and splitters that distribute signals over a single Cat6 cable, including some 4K signals. Starting at just £142 (approximately $222) for the 4K-700, a 3D compatible and HDCP compliant transmitter and receiver pair to extend HDMI, DVI or DP++, together with IR signals over a single 70-meter CAT5e-8 cable, the 4K-700. It uses HDBaseT Lite technology to extend 12 bit Deep Colour, 3D, 4K and 2K resolutions together with 1080p @60Hz. Other extenders in the family include: 4K-710, 4K-800 and 4K-810, which add RS232 and Ethernet capabilities up to 100 meters of cable.
In addition, they launched six HDMI/HDBaseT splitters starting at £178 for the 4K-TX720, just one of a collection of 4K compatible self-contained HDBaseT one input by multiple outputs capable of transmitting HDMI signals up to 4K UHD resolutions over 70 meters or 100 meters of Cat6 cable. The single HDMI input can be connected to the rear of the unit where it is split internally and fed to two outputs. Each HDBaseT connection also allows for IR signals to be received back from the receiver enabling remote control of the source device. Other splitters in the family include: 4K-TX740/780 and 4K-TX820/840/880 for two, four and eight outputs respectively which add RS232 pass-through and Ethernet capabilities up to 100m of cable.
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Extron Now Shipping 15″ TouchLink Pro Touchpanels
Extron is shipping its TLP Pro 1520TG TouchLink Pro Touchpanel. This configurable 15” tabletop touchpanel has a capacitive, edge-to-edge glass touchscreen; and, as with all TouchLink Pro models, it features faster processing and more memory. The 1366×768 touchscreen is all one giant responsive control surface and it features video preview inputs that support high resolution HDCP-compliant video from HDMI sources and Extron XTP devices. PoE+ allows the touchpanel to receive power and communications over a single Ethernet cable.
The TLP Pro 1520TG works in conjunction with any Extron IP Link Pro control processor and is designed for use in AV system applications that require complete, interactive control of a broad range of AV system devices. TouchLink Pro touchpanels operate using standard network infrastructure and are easy to install with reliable and cost effective Ethernet cable. The TLP Pro 1520TG can be removed from its base and mounted on any VESA standard mounting arm or bracket that uses a 100 mm mounting pattern.
All TouchLink Pro touchpanels are customized using Extron GUI Designer software.
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Wolf Cinema Enters ProAV Market with Seven New ProjectorsWolf Cinema, a company known for high-end residential projectors, has announced an entirely new division focusing on projector for the ProAV market of business, prosumer, education and commercial environments. Starting at just $2,995 list, these seven new Wolf Cinema PRO projectors include multiple primary lens options, ample image offsets plus advanced integration capabilities with automation and control systems.
Wolf Cinema’s PRO line is spec’d to start at 4,000 ANSI lumens and extend up to 12,000 ANSI lumens, using both DLP and LCD imaging technologies. Many solutions offer multiple primary lens options, with precise lens shift and ample H/V keystone correction. Also carried over from Wolf Cinema’s home theater assortment, the company’s ProScaler MK III is available as an optional rack-mounted video processor — a useful complement when firing onto 2.35:1 CinemaScope screens, using our popular E-VariScope imaging technology.
Wolf Cinema’s PRO business and commercial projection line-up includes:
- PRO-85 – DLP Projector, 4,000 ANSI, Ultra Short Throw 2D/3D projector [0.25:1 optical throw]
- PRO-115 – DLP Projector, 4,200 ANSI, 2D/3D projector, Ultra Short [0.5:1 TD] and Extended Throw [1.39 – 2.09:1 TD] Lens Options
- PRO-415 – DLP Projector, 5,000 ANSI, 2D/3D, Five Lens Options [0.77:1 to 5.0:1 optical throw]
- PRO-715 – 3LCD Projector, 5,000 ANSI, Five Lens Options [0.8:1 to 8.3:1 optical throw]
- PRO-915 – DLP Dual Lamp Projector, 7,500 ANSI, 2D/3D, Seven Lens Options [0.77:1 to 8.25:1 optical throw]
- PRO-1215 – DLP Laser-Phosphor Illumination System, 5,000 ANSI, Four Lens Options [0.95:1 to 5.45:1 optical throw]
- PRO-1515 – DLP Dual Lamp Projector, 12,000 ANSI, Five Lens Options [0.85:1 to 4.0:1 optical throw]
The new PRO product line of projectors is available starting in August 2015 and will be priced between $2,995 and $34,995. All the detailed specs are here. Leave a Comment
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New AmpliVox Mity-Lite PA Uses Rechargeable Lithium-Ion BatteryAmpliVox Sound Systems launched the SW300 Mity-Lite PA system, a compact PA that’s designed for rooms up to 1,500 square feet and audiences of up to 350. Weighing only 6.5 pounds, the Mity-Lite can be placed on a tripod or simply worn on a shoulder strap and outputs 35W sound while running on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to ten hours of use time.
The Mity-Lite PA features a built-in 16 channel wireless frequency receiver with 16 user-selectable channels connecting to a wireless handheld mic, a Bluetooth module allows for wireless music streaming and includes a line-in for CD or mp3 players and other audio sources and a line-out for mic inputs. The entire unit is housed in a plastic enclosure that can attach to a shoulder strap.
For wireless applications, the Mity-Lite includes a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery that lasts up to ten hours. AmpliVox says the battery recharges in under five hours, and can be recharged while the system is in use with an AC power source.
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Fohhn Adds LX-60 and LX-61 Compact Line Arrays to LINEA LX loudspeaker RangeFohhn Audio has announced the release of two new models in its LINEA LX range of compact line array systems. The Linea LX-60 and LX-61. The compact LX-60 is specially designed for installation applications in more challenging acoustic environments. The 200-watt, two-way system is equipped with four 4″ high performance low-mid drivers (arranged in a column) and a 1″ compression driver with Fohhn Waveguide. This combination forms the basis of Fohhn’s unique Hybrid Line Array Technology (a feature of all LINEA LX systems), which is widely renowned for delivering excellent reproduction of speech and music, superb dynamics and even audience coverage. Speaker adjustment is done via an integrated crossover with Intelligent Protection Circuit (IPC) to guard against overload. Components are enclosed in an elegant, lightweight aluminium housing, with slender dimensions — 64 (h) x13 (w) centimeters — that enable the unit to integrate unobtrusively into a range of venues. The system offers a dispersion range of 140º (w) × 30° (h) and is equipped with Phoenix terminals.
The new Linea LX-61 loudspeaker is designed for mobile applications. Incorporating the innovative technology of its LX-60 sibling, it is equipped with the same 4″ high performance low-mid drivers and 1″ compression driver with Waveguide. Its compact dimensions make for easy transportation and quick set-up. The unit is fitted with two Speakon connectors.
For even more powerful sound reproduction, the LX-60 and LX-61 can also be combined with a range of Fohhn subwoofers. LX-60/61 housing is available in all RAL colors.
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Aviom Intros Three New Personal MixersAviom has launched three complete personal mixing system packages, the Mix320-A Personal Mixing System, the Mix320-Y Personal Mixing System, and the Mix320-D Personal Mixing System. All three packages are available immediately, and will be sold in the US only.
Each system is built around the A320 Personal Mixer, Aviom’s most affordable Personal Mixer to date. Designed to accommodate six users live on stage or in the recording studio, each system comes complete with everything required to connect and configure the products, including mic stand mounts and Cat-5 cables.
The Mix320-A Personal Mixing System features the analog AN-16/i v.2 Input Module with 16 TRS balanced inputs as the front end of the system. The AN-16/i v.2 connects to a D400 A-Net® Distributor with supplies digital data and DC power to its eight A-Net ports. Six A320 Personal Mixers, six MT-1a Mic Stand Mounts, and seven 25-foot Cat-5 cable round out the package.
Created for users of Yamaha digital mixing consoles, the Mix320-Y Personal Mixing System includes a Y1 A-Net card to get digital audio from the mixing console into the Aviom system. The Y1 card’s A-Net output connects to a D400 A-Net Distributor, and from there Cat-5 cables connect the six A320 Personal Mixers. Mic stand mounts and Cat-5 cables are included in this system as well.
The Mix320-D Personal Mixing System has been designed specifically for use with Dante enabled consoles and audio networks. The Mix320-D includes a D400-Dante A-Net Distributor that allows up to 32 channels to be patched from the Dante network to the personal mixing system inputs.
No input device is required; simply connect the Dante network to the D400-Dante. The D400-Dante is also used to supply A-Net digital data and DC power to the personal mixers. The system includes six A320 Personal Mixers for the performers, six MT-1a Mic Stand Mounts for attaching the A320 mixers to mic stands, plus all the Cat-5e cables needed to connect the products.
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Linear Acoustic Debuts AERO.10 DTV Audio ProcessorLinear Acoustic is launching its AERO.10 DTV Audio Processor at IBC 2015 this week, claiming that it’s the highest quality processing found in the entire AERO range but at a significantly lower price point.
AERO.10 is an audio processor supporting up to ten channels of PCM audio via AES, SDI or stereo analog I/O. The AERO.10 comes equipped with a processing engine identical to those in the established AERO.100/1000/2000 products. Tools such as AEROMAX loudness and dynamics control, UPMAX II automatic upmixing and downmixing algorithms, along with ITU and EBU compliant loudness metering and logging.
Downloadable 7.5 day rolling and event-based logs include multiple ITU-R BS.1770-3 loudness measurements as well as True Peak values. The included TCP/IP remote application provides control and display of all AERO.10 system settings and processing parameters plus extensive metering of loudness from a PC located anywhere with a network connection. The remote also delivers up to 5.1 channels of audio, enabling users to audition signal quality anywhere link bandwidth permits. An HTTP server is included for simple get/set control of all parameters and retrieval of status and logging information. The AERO.10 has a simple LCD front panel GUI for local control, and a powerful headphone output is included for checking audio and adjusting processing. New with AERO.10 are +4dBu balanced stereo analog inputs and outputs, useful for analog plants or bridging between analog and digital paths. The lightweight and rugged AERO.10 fits in 1RU.
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DiGiGrid Ships IOC Audio InterfaceDiGiGrid has expanded its line of audio interfaces with DiGiGrid IOC, a control room I/O for SoundGrid systems. The DiGiGrid IOC audio interface offers a range of connectivity options, including two mic/line inputs with broadcast/studio-grade preamps, eight line inputs/outputs, 16 AES and ADAT inputs/outputs and two headphone outputs. With DiGiGrid IOC and a dedicated SoundGrid DSP server on their network, users will be able to run hundreds of SoundGrid-compatible Waves and third-party plugins, all fully integrated within their DAW of choice. By plugging DiGiGrid IOC into a SoundGrid network with a single Ethernet cable, users will enter a new world of real-time tracking, mixing and monitoring, with extremely low latency of only 0.8 milliseconds.
Features include:
- ASIO- and Core Audio-compliant audio I/O for native DAWs
- Two mic/line inputs with broadcast/studio-grade preamps
- Eight line inputs/outputs and two headphone outputs
- 16 AES inputs/outputs, ADAT inputs/outputs
- Connects via a single Ethernet cable (Cat 5e/Cat 6)
- Quick-view front panel metering
- High-definition 192 kHz ADC conversion
- Super-low latency of 0.8 only milliseconds
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Extron Ships the SM 28 Fast Installing, Two-Way Surface Mount SpeakerExtron has started shipping the SM 28 SpeedMount Surface Mount Speaker, a two-way speaker with a patent pending, concealed wall mounting system. This 8 ohm speaker features an 8″ (20.3 cm) woofer with dual tuned ports and a 1.1″ (2.8 cm) tweeter. The SM 28 provides a frequency range from 59 Hz to 22 kHz, and a power rating of 90 watts continuous pink noise, 180 watts continuous program capacity.
To meet a variety of installation needs, the extremely flexible mounting system includes a 0° mounting plate and a 10° mounting adapter. The 0° mounting plate provides the electrical connections and allows the SM 28 to be oriented vertically or horizontally, flush with the wall. When the versatile 10° mounting adapter is added to the mounting plate, the SM 28 can be positioned with a 10° tilt downward, upward, left, or right.
The SM 28 saves time and installation costs for AV system contractors working with low-voltage contractors in a division-of-labor installation. During rough-in, a low-voltage contractor installs the mounting system on the wall and terminates the speaker cable to the mount’s integrated wiring contacts. Later, the AV system contractor completes the installation by sliding the SM 28 onto the mount.
The SM 28 is sold in pairs and carries a five-year parts and labor warranty. It is available in a black or white finish and includes a 0° mounting plate and a 10° mounting adapter. Also available is an optional yoke mount kit for the SM 28. It allows for vertical or horizontal speaker mounting on a wall, or on a ceiling and provides 180° of pivot in 10° detented steps.
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Aviom Ships the D400 and D400-Dante A-Net DistributorsAviom is already shipping its new D400 and D400-Dante A-Net Distributors. The D400 and D400-Dante A-Net Distributors are designed to distribute power and digital audio data to an Aviom personal mixing system and provide users with an easy and affordable way to get into Aviom personal mixing for live performance or recording applications.
The D400-Dante allows up to 32 Dante channels to be routed to the personal mixing system, which makes connecting to a Dante-enable digital console or audio network as simple as plugging in a Cat-5 cable.
The standard D400 has an A-Net input for those using an analog input module or a digital console card as the front end of their system, while the D400-Dante has Dante I/O instead of the A-Net input. Up to eight personal mixers can be connected to each D400 or D400-Dante’s A-Net outputs, and an unlimited number of distributors can be used when creating larger systems with more than eight performers.
The D400 and D400-Dante are compatible with both the original Pro16 version of A-Net and the new Pro16e version of A-Net, the technology driving the A360 and A320 Personal Mixers which allows multiple 16-channel banks of monitoring content to be delivered over a single Cat-5 cable. The new distributors can also be used with Aviom’s legacy products including the A-16II Personal Mixer.
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Community Introduces BalancePoint Flyware for I Series LoudspeakersCommunity Speakers has introduced the BalancePoint Flyware, a new flying hardware system for the I SERIES of arrayable loudspeakers with matching-height subwoofers. BalancePoint Flyware allows systems designers to create planar or isometric arrays and add rear, top or steered subwoofers. Individual loudspeakers can be precisely aimed and arrays can be quickly assembled in the shop or on-site. BalancePoint Flyware complements the appearance of I SERIES loudspeakers in black or white with a low-profile design that hugs the ceiling and eliminates unsightly aircraft cables.
For more information on BalancePoint Flyware, click here [PDF]. For more information on the I SERIES, go here. Leave a Comment
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Bowers & Wilkins Launches Three New Installation Speakers Bowers & Wilkins announced three additions to its range of custom installation speakers. The new CCM Cinema 7 in-ceiling speaker and CWM Cinema 7 in-wall speaker get their high performance thanks to the application of Bowers & Wilkins core acoustic technologies. While the new CCM632 offers discreet musical fidelity, clever new fixings now make installation quicker and easier than ever before.
CCM Cinema 7 is designed for down-firing, in-ceiling left, centre and right speaker positions in a discreet home cinema system. It boasts two drivers: a 180mm bass/midrange Kevlar cone and a 25mm Nautilus swirl loaded aluminum dome tweeter.
Both drivers are angled to the mounting surface and can be directed towards listeners so they hear the correct balance of sound. That way, dialogue is crystal clear and special effects come across accurately, according to B&W.
CWM Cinema 7 in-wall speaker does the job of three home cinema speakers — front left, center and front right — but is discreet. It can be mounted beside, above or below the screen.
Both Cinema 7 speakers feature ultra-narrow bezels and magnetically attached metal grilles that can be customized. CCM Cinema 7 is supplied with a round grille but this can be replaced with square.
Cinema 7 speakers are installed in the ceiling or wall using Bowers & Wilkins QuickDogs fixings — spring clamps that rotate and clip into place, so you can fit the speaker frames securely, tool-free, with one hand.
The new CCM632 is designed for musical fidelity with the near-invisibility of an in-ceiling speaker. Its full-range 75mm driver claims to solve a common problem with custom install speakers: Small drivers don’t offer enough bass but two-way speakers with a tweeter positioned in front of a bass/midrange driver lead to sound discoloration.
CCM632 is supplied in stereo pairs and comes with both round and square grille/bezel assemblies that attach magnetically. Pricing starts at $250 and range up to $850. The company’s website is here. Leave a Comment
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Sound Devices Ships SL-6 Powering and Wireless SystemSound Devices says its new SL-6 powering and wireless system for its 688 mixer/recorder is now shipping.
The optional SL-6 accessory is designed to streamline linking between the 688 and wireless by providing integration for up to three dual-channel, slot-in receivers. When combined with SuperSlot-compatible receivers, the SL-6 offers wireless receiver control and monitoring direct from the 688 mixer, in addition to its already impr essive power and antenna distribution.
The SL-6 attaches directly to the 688’s top panel. With its NP1 battery slot, USB charging port, two 12-V isolated outputs and two non-isolated direct battery outputs, the SL-6 is an ideal powering hub for peripheral devices. The SL-6 features Sound Devices’ SuperSlot technology, regarded as the industry’s first non-proprietary, open wireless control and interfacing standard. SuperSlot is the result of Sound Devices’ collaboration with a number of leading wireless manufacturers, including Lectrosonics, Sennheiser, Wisycom and Audio Ltd.
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Extron Debuts Industry’s First Conferencing, Collaboration and Control Interface Extron’s new CCI Pro 700 is marketed as the industry’s first control system user interface optimized for conferencing, collaboration and AV control.
Right off the bat, when you look at the CCI Pro 700, you see it’s different than any other control system on the market. In fact, it reminds us of a speakerphone — and, in a way, it is because when you pair it with Extron’s MP 200 introduced yesterday, it becomes a controller and phone interface for a Skype, Skype for Business, Microsoft Lync, Skype, WebEx call and it’s integrated with a Pro Series touch panel to control the entire room.
The CCI Pro 700 supports many of the functions needed in a conferencing environment, while providing a room control user interface. The design includes a 3.5” color information display, a numeric keypad and backlit buttons. The information display may be used to show contact information, call directories, and call status — in fact, it allows you to import your contacts from any of the cloud-codec systems like Skype, Lync and WebEx. Buttons directly below the display may be used to navigate custom lists and menus. The information display is customized using GUI Designer, and all buttons can be configured and customized using Global Configurator Plus and Pro and Custom Button Builder. This flexible design affords countless conferencing and control possibilities.
The CCI Pro 700 is configured using Extron Global Configurator Plus or Global Configurator Professional software and works in conjunction with any Extron IP Link Pro control processor. The CCI Pro 700 operates using standard network infrastructure and is easy to install as the only connection required is Ethernet as it includes PoE (Power over Ethernet). Extron told rAVe it will ship in October. The link on Extron’s website with all the specs will be here, but won’t be activate until August 3. Leave a Comment
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InFocus Lowers Price of ConX Video Conference Solution and Adds FeaturesInFocus Corporation says it has made it easier for people to connect and collaborate across platforms and the globe with a major expansion of its ConX Video Meeting (pronounced “Connects”) cloud-based group video conferencing service. The enhanced abilities include: the addition of full HD meeting rooms that can connect up to 25 participants, new Web browser plug-ins and mobile apps that make it easier for people to participate from their devices, and more affordable pricing.
ConX Video Meeting works like a traditional audio-only conference bridge; participants dial in from their SIP or H.323 video calling system, Windows or OSX computer, iOS or Android mobile devices, Microsoft Lync or other app such as Jabber. They type in a secure room number and access code and then, through the cloud, ConX joins all the participants together, face to face, and enables data sharing. The virtual meeting room is accessible 24/7 without any scheduling required, giving customers the flexibility to connect with anyone at any time. There is no cost for participants to access a ConX Meeting Room and there are no additional usage fees. Only an Internet connection is required to meet.
ConX enhancements also include a 25-seat HD room, monthly billing options and a room control portal called HostConX. Six and 12-seat HD rooms are also available. The new pricing is as follows:
- Up to 6 users – $119/mo or $1,199/yr
- Up to 12 users – $199/mo or $1,999/yr
- Up to 25 users – $399/mo or $3,999/yr
Details on the InFocus ConX Video Meeting are here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Takes Aim at Vaddio and ClearOne With New MediaPort 200 AV to USB BoxExtron is launching into a completely new market category with their new MediaPort 200, an HDMI (and audio) to USB bridge for integrating pro AV sources or systems with software codec conferencing applications. The cool thing about this product is it will give integrators a way to make money integrating consumer videoconferencing products and apps (e.g., Skype, Skype for business, Microsoft Lync, etc.) into ProAV systems.
The MediaPort 200 works seamlessly with a computers using generic USB video and audio drivers and it features an HDMI input (with HDCP-compliant loop through) and accepts signals up to 1920 x 1200, and scales video to a USB 2.0 output. Audio features include program and mic inputs, HDMI audio de-embedding, and USB bidirectional audio, plus AEC reference and line level outputs. The MediaPort 200 also includes DSP with EQ, filters, mixing, dynamics, and ducking. This allows the MediaPort 200 to serve as a complete soft codec bridge, with the added flexibility of integrating into larger hardware codec or DSP systems. The MediaPort 200 enables versatile integration of conferencing PCs into pro AV system designs.
As we all know, customers have been asking, for years, to integrate consumer VTC applications into ProAV systems and there’s been very little incentive to do that as the margins to do it were slim and, in most cases, it was just set as an input to the system. But, with the MediaPort 200, there’s margin and you can actually increase the quality of the video (as it includes Extron’s scaling engine) and audio (as it also has their DSP).
The MediaPort 200 puts the power (and decision making ability) into the hands of the integrator to specify alternative higher-end web-cameras and mics by adding support for professional-grade equipment such as videoconferencing PTZ cameras, boundary microphones, and sound reinforcement systems. In boardrooms and large conference rooms, the MediaPort 200 easily integrates a conferencing PC into a fully equipped AV system with a hardware codec, video distribution and processing, control, DSP, microphones and full sound reinforcement.
Extron says to ensure an HDMI source is presented with the highest possible image quality to a soft codec, the MediaPort 200 incorporates Extron patented video processing technology (scaling), specifically engineered for high performance image scaling and frame rate conversion that preserves detail and legibility of source content. The DSP in the MediaPort 200 is ideal for optimizing mic and program source signals, as well as outgoing signals bound for the PC, sound reinforcement systems, or outboard DSPs. The MediaPort 200 can also deliver far-end audio as a dedicated AEC reference output to an AEC-equipped DSP, to provide distributed AEC processing for several microphones.
Inputs incude HDMI, line audio and mic audio so you can simultaneously connect audio from the video source as well as a room mic for voice-over in VTC applications — this is an example of a feature that is integrator-friendly that allows the dealer to make money upgrading the integration of the system from using an off-the-shelf USB web-cam. It’s housed in a 1U, half-rack enclosure and includes I/O ports for mic tally and status for audio group conferencing applications.
Here are all the technical specs on the $3,390 MediaPort 200. Leave a Comment
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AV Stumpfl Intros Three-Stream Uncompressed 4K60 Media ServerAustria’s AV Stumpfl claims the world’s first triple-stream 4K uncompressed media server in their new Wings Engine Raw. Using a single custom engineered RAID 10 system, Wings Engine Raw is capable of delivering constant data stream of three channels of true 4K (4096×2304 pixels) uncompressed video content at 60fps plus up to 16 text and picture layers, and up to 24 uncompressed audio streams. The server removes the need to convert content into any intermediate codec format. Content can include native picture sequences such as TGA or TIFF and even instant PNG image format processing.
Wings Engine Raw is capable of processing and delivering video content at the full 4:4:4 color sampling ensuring picture perfect quality and color accuracy for the most demanding of installation environments. And, their system also features redundancy so if one of the SSDs fail, the data rate and the system’s functionality in general will not be impaired.
Wings Engine Raw hosts the new WingsRX render core engine which has been developed and optimized especially for premium picture quality applications. Its 64-bit program architecture and clever usage of SSE CPU instructions ensures unequaled decentralized processing power. The software has been designed for a wide range of applications such as themed attractions, digital signage, trade shows, live events and full dome systems.
AV Stumpfl says its Wings Engine Raw is based on professional server technology derived from IT data center equipment. Inside the rack mount system is a Xeon CPU, redundant high performance power supply, 2×10 GBit LAN, server chipset, up to 8 3G-SDI live inputs and Displayport 1.2 and DVI-D output connectors.
Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Screen Innovations’ Updates Zero Edge Flex, Adds Maestro Acoustically Transparent WeaveScreen Innovations (SI) has updated its Zero Edge FLEX frame style and added the company’s Maestro White and Maestro Gray acoustically transparent, woven, screens.
SI claims the Zero Edge design has broken the rigidity barrier with a new frame that has made on-site assembly easier than ever for custom installers. Zero Edge FLEX easily breaks down and assembles on-site, making it cost effective to ship AND navigate tight spaces, elevators and stairways.
Zero Edge FLEX Slate, ambient-light rejecting screen material, can be configured to a massive 390-inches (measured diagonally in 16:9). Maestro tops out at a maximum of 185-inches. Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Philips Intros New Q Series Digital Signage Display With Ambilight OptionPhilips is introducing a new line of digital signage displays called the Q Series that will be available with Philips’ new Ambilight technology. Ambilight technology is designed to perceptually make a monitor’s image look much wider — and the viewing experience more immersive — by projecting an extra wide glow from two sides of a signage display onto the surrounding wall.
The new Q-line models will be available with and without Amiblight in four sizes: 55’’, 48’’, 43’’ and 32’’. In addition, each model includes an HTML5 SmartBrowser and expanded internal memory, which serves as a memory cache when streaming online content. If the network ever fails, the internal memory keeps content streaming by playing a cached version of the content, ensuring that content is always displayed on a digital signage network even when there is no network connection.
Each Q-Series uses an LED backlit LCD and is native 1080p resolution. It’s integrated with SmartControl software, which Philips says allows remote control and management of a network of displays via RJ45 and RS232C.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
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Everything we publish is opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship publication with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition is co-published with CEDIA, covering the HomeAV market. We added rAVe Rental [and Staging] in November 2007, rAVe ED [Education] in May 2008 and then rAVe DS [Digital Signage] in January 2009. We added rAVe GHGav [Green, Healthcare & Government AV] in August 2010 and rAVe HOW [House of Worship] in July 2012. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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