Volume 14, Issue 10 — May 19, 2016
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Editorial Editorial Editorial
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Industry News Projection Control & Signal Processing Displays Digital Signage Audio Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories
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Building, Design for Sound and Acoustics, Part 1: Understanding the Basics of Sound
By John J. Lupo Division Manager, North Florida, Dynamark Systems
This is part one of a multi-part series of articles that will provide a solid understanding of the principles of sound and acoustics as it relates to design and construction of both public and private spaces. Parts 2-5 will cover decibels, STC ratings, soundproofing and room acoustics.
A basic understanding of sound is important for the proper planning and design of any room or public space. If you have experienced not being able to clearly understand a speaker at an event or gathering or maybe attending a classical concert only to be distracted by poor sound quality you understand what I will be referring to. Sound and acoustics can be a very complex subject to dig into. My intent is not to make you an expert but to give you knowledge that will be useful for the purpose of designing your theater or listening room.
Quick Point # 1
Air is considered an elastic medium. This means that air molecules will expand and contract.
Sound energy radiates from the source and travels through air in waves. A good example would be to throw a rock into a pond and watch the ripples of water expand from the contact point.
Sound Waves travel by causing a chain reaction of the air molecules. The increased air pressure created from the source expands the surrounding air molecules. The air molecules collide with neighboring air molecules transferring the energy much like the old 5-ball pendulum desk ornament.
Visualize a forest. As the wind blows across the tree tops the branches move in the direction of the wind returning to their original position as the wind passes, never moving from their rooted location.
All of this happens with incredible speed and is completely invisible to the human eye. This reaction is repeated until the energy of the sound wave fades. As the waves travel through air they will gradually loose energy / intensity.
An example would be:
2x the distance = 1/4 the intensity
4x the distance = 1/16 the intensity
Sound Waves travel through air at sea level @ 1130 feet per second. Sound will travel faster in water or metal, than through air. The denser a medium the faster it will travel through it.
So that will give you an idea of how sound travels, but how do we hear it, you may ask?
On the receiving side our ears are design like to collect sound waves. The waves are transformed by the inner ear to electrical signals, and then passed to the brain for processing. Our brains do all the tough work transforming the sound waves into the wonderful sounds we hear.
Quick Point # 2
There is no sound in outer space. Sorry to burst the bubble of Star Trek and Star Wars fans. All those explosions and battles would occur in complete silence. No medium = no noise
Sound Frequencies Explained
If you plan on working with sound in any capacity an understanding of frequencies is crucial to the audio quality within the defined space.
All sound produces waves at a measurable frequency. Sound waves are measured in frequencies (number of complete cycles per second).
The length of a sound wave varies depending on its frequency, ranging from 56′ for a 20 Hz tone to as little as 1-1/16″ (.0565″) for a 20,000 Hz tone.
Sound frequencies are expressed as Hertz (Hz), a measurement of many cycles per second the sound wave completes. Humans have the ability to hear frequencies from 16 Hz (cycles per second) to approximately 20,000 Hz. The range is commonly referred to as “20-20K”.
Sound Frequencies Explained
An understanding of frequencies is relevant to the audio quality of the room. Sound waves are measured in frequencies (number of complete cycles per second). The length of a sound wave varies depending on its frequency, ranging from 56′ for a 20 Hz tone to as little as
1-1/16″ (.0565″) for a 20,000 Hz tone.
We express frequencies as Hertz (Hz), a measurement of many cycles per second the sound wave completes. We have the ability to hear frequencies from 16 Hz (cycles per second) to approximately 20,000 Hz. It is commonly referred to it as “20-20K Hz “.
The Frequency Scale
Every sound produces a wave at a measurable frequency. Let’s use music as a point of reference.
Each note of the musical scale produces a sound wave at a precise measurable frequency. This is referred to as the fundamental frequency. The fundamental frequencies are divided into three main groups.
1) Bass frequencies 20 Hz-250 Hz
2) Mid Range frequencies 250 Hz-2,000 Hz
3) Treble frequencies 2,000 Hz-20,000 Hz
The upper mid range and treble frequencies are shorter in length and contain less sound energy. They will lose energy quickly making them easier to deal with in regards to room acoustics and soundproofing. The low bass frequencies (20-125K) are much longer in length and contain more sound energy. Low frequencies carry this energy for longer distances making these frequencies more relevant to room acoustics and soundproofing. Lower frequencies play a dominant role in both room acoustics and sound quality by creating standing waves (room modes). These waves distort or color the sound in the room producing a negative effect on audio quality. The relevant range of standing wave frequencies in room acoustics will range from 20 Hz through 300 Hz.In Part 2,Understanding Acoustics,I speak more in-depth regarding how these frequencies relate to room acoustics.
Quick Point # 3
1) Studies have shown that most of the usable sound information for human’s lies between 300 Hz and 4,000 Hz.
2) Our hearing is less sensitive to low frequencies. We require increased volume levels to hear these frequencies. As the frequency of the sound rises our sensitivity increases.
3) With the use of our stereo hearing (two ears) we have the ability to accurately locate the source of the sound. By calculating the delay between the times the sound reaches each ear our brains compute the location of the source. We process localization better on the horizontal than the vertical plane.
4) We can filter frequencies and focus on what we desire to hear. We can concentrate on the violins over the rest of the orchestra if we choose or recognize our baby’s cry from other babies in the room.
Harmonics and Frequencies
The Harmonics of the fundamental frequency give each instrument or sound its own particular tonal quality. It’s the harmonics that makes a Saxophone sound like a Sax or a flute sound like a flute even when they are producing the same frequency tone. In this writing I will touch on harmonics but focus my attention mainly on the fundamental frequencies. A tone produces a fundamental frequency and multiples of that frequency referred to as harmonics.
Quick Point #4
The sounds we hear are a combination of fundamental frequencies and their harmonics.
To use light as an example, when we walk outside we see sunlight as white or colorless sunlight. When viewed through a prism we see all the colors that combine to make the light we see. Sound works in much the same way. We don’t hear the individual frequencies but we hear the total sum of all the frequencies and harmonics blending together to create our own personal symphonies.
Amazing stuff, this ear and hearing thing.
I hope this gives you some useful information. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.
John J. Lupo
Division Manager, North Florida
Dynamark Systems
This article was reprinted with permission from John J. Lupo and originally appeared here. Leave a Comment
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Dunning-Kroeger [sic] in Effect
By Hope Roth We’ve all dealt with people who get more and more adamant, even as they get more and more wrong. Maybe it’s a coworker who swears up and down that they never got your TPS reports (even though you can see them sitting on their desk!). Maybe it’s a customer who tries to change the scope of their system after it’s been installed and commissioned (even though you have the original scope in writing!). Maybe it was even you, but you just didn’t recognize it.
The state of blind ignorance that leaves a person unable to acknowledge their own shortcomings is often referred to on the internet as “my stupid cow-irkers,” but there is an actual name for it. It’s called the Dunning-Kruger Effect, and it refers to the blind spot in our own psychology where we are so completely uninformed about something, we become totally unaware of our own wrongness.
Dunning and Kruger observed this phenomenon when giving test subjects a test and then quizzing them about how they thought they had done. The subjects in the middle of the bell curve tended to rate themselves as average, but the people who had done either extremely well or extremely poorly were wildly inaccurate in their self-assessments. Those who had done well mostly rated themselves as having done only moderately well compared to their peers (the theory is that this is because they tend to assume that everyone else knows just as much as they do). And, finally, those who had done poorly mostly gave themselves high marks. They assumed they’d aced the test, even though they had gotten most of the answers wrong.
For more information about the Dunning-Kruger Effect, I would highly recommend Act Two of this episode of This American Life.
(The Dunning-Kruger Effect has been the subject of some scientific debate, but for the purposes of this article it has enough Stephen Colbert-style truthiness to serve as our launch pad).
The Dunning-Kruger Effect is particularly insidious, because by definition it’s impossible to detect in yourself. It’s like walking around with halitosis and a head cold. You’re not going to sniff it out. And most people are so insufferable about it, they’re not likely to have anyone give them gentle feedback about it. So how do we protect ourselves from our own (and others) bravado? I have a few suggestions.
Trust, But Verify
There’s nothing worse than a coworker who talks a big game, but can’t back it up. So how do you avoid hiring those people in the first place? Don’t just take them at their word. Have our good friends at Tier PM screen candidates for you. Give them real world skills tests and/or questions. Speak with all of their references. If I was hiring a programmer, I would ask to see some examples of their code. If you were hiring an audio engineer, you could ask them to put together a basic DSP file for you. When I got my first job as a technician, the hiring manager gave me a CTS practice test to fill out. I didn’t get every single answer correct, but I got most of them. And he was able to ask me follow-up questions about my reasoning about the questions I did get wrong. It was a good way for him to see how I would go about troubleshooting a problem. In that same fashion, taking a certification exam (or just a practice exam) can give you objective information about what questions you might have gotten wrong.
Use the Right Tools
I still remember the ignominy of a grade-school teacher berating me in front of our entire class for not checking my work on an assignment. My big mistake? I had spelled a word wrong. I tried to tell her that I couldn’t check my own spelling if it was my spelling knowledge that was faulty in the first place. She didn’t listen to me. These days, kids just use spellcheck. If the line is red, you need to fix it. It takes your own ignorance out of the equation.
Error checking and QA should be designed to eliminate your own blind spots. If you ever find yourself saying, “Well… that’s how it’s supposed to work,” when something gets flagged, you’re probably doing it wrong. On the first episode of my podcast, The Floating Point, Toine Leerentveld from Crestron told us about the software they use (Coverity) to ensure that their software engineers don’t introduce vulnerabilities and adhere to best practices. Most of us don’t have the luxury of automated error checking, but we can at least ask a trusted coworker to double check our math for us when it’s something really important.
Show Your Work
If my boss asks me how long I think it will take to do a project and I say “six hours,” he’ll say “OK.” If I say “one hour to write a Simpl# module, two hours to write the base code, and three hours to modify it for the other 10 processors,” he’s going to ask me if I’ve lost my freaking mind. And then he’s going to revise my estimate. Heavily. Letting him in on my thought process lets him see where I went wrong and provide error checking. Even the act of explaining your reasoning can give you that nudge that says, “wait a minute…”
A similar strategy can be employed in other areas of our industry as well. I recently spoke with a client who told me that a job their integrator thought would take two days ended up taking two weeks to complete. That’s a terrible situation for everyone involved. The integrator likely lost money on the job, and the client had to wait an extra week and a half for the completion of their project.
Following best practice guides for drafting proposals and documenting scope should protect everyone. There are some great resources out there that you can use to assess proposals. I would recommend starting with the white papers on InfoComm’s website.
Don’t Surround Yourself With Yes People
Earlier this week, I tried to do some programming that ended up being slightly outside my own comfort zone. I thought I was doing great… until I bricked my test processor. “I am the living embodiment of Dunning-Krueger today!” I joked with my podcasting co-host, Chris Tatton. “You know it’s spelled Dunning-Kruger, right?”, he said. Whoops.
(N.B.: Spellcheck thinks that Krueger is a perfectly fine spelling. Even automated error checking is fallible. We’re probably all doomed.)
My point is, I have friends and coworkers who are willing to tell me when I’m being an idiot. And I’m willing to listen to them. Which means that I have a real shot at learning from my mistakes. If I’m ever inclined to tell someone they’re wrong when they correct me, I let Google be our tie-breaker. And it doesn’t count if you click through 20 pages to find the one website that agrees with you.
Don’t Aim to be the Smartest Person in the Room
When I’m at trainings and conventions, I try to spend my time with people who have demonstrated knowledge beyond my own (I think I’m pretty good at sussing those folks out, but as this article demonstrates, I may be horribly, horribly wrong about this one). Not only do all of these smart people teach me all sorts of interesting and wonderful things, seeing the advanced work that they’re doing allows me to re-calibrate my senses about my own abilities.
I can’t tell you how nerve-wracking it is to write an article about the mistakes you don’t know you’re making and worry that I have mixed up your/you’re somewhere in my writing. If you think I’m off-base about any of this, please leave a comment and let me know. I’d welcome the feedback. Leave a Comment
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The Shortest Distance Between Two Points
By Lee Distad rAVe Columnist
Although it’s verity has long since been debunked, there’s a popular adage about how during the height of the Cold War and the Space Race, NASA spent millions developing a ballpoint pen that could write in zero gravity, while Soviet Cosmonauts just used a pencil.
Regardless, the moral of the story as I’ve always applied it to AV installs is that innovation is great, but what AV Pros actually get paid for is a working installation. Regardless of features, interfaces, and hot-topic buzzwords just clients just want their systems to work.
There are two kinds of AV pro, in my experience: enthusiastic technophiles and reluctant adopters. It’s mostly a generational thing, and more often than not, the enthusiastic techophiles are new to the business, shiny and keen. That shininess wears off after a few years. Sadder, but wiser, veteran AV pros learn, often through painful experience, to not confuse the sizzle for the steak.
Hands up everyone who’s ever been dazzled by cool technology, and was bursting at the seams to jam as much of it into your client’s home as possible. I’m guilty, on all charges.
The common thread in most repeatable, reliable systems is simplicity. I was trained according to the premise that good system design follows from having the minimum number of boxes and wires necessary to achieve the system’s required functionality.
The fewer links in the chain, the fewer the number of things that can go wrong. It also helps if a system uses the absolute minimum number of brands, which is part of the reason why automation vendors offer a breadth of hardware solutions: the assurance that the selected gear will play well with others.
By the same token, simplicity in system configuration means that when it’s time to troubleshoot for bugs (and there will almost always be bugs), there are fewer individual checklist items that require testing. With added complexity, when debugging a new system, you run the risk of getting caught up in overly complicated workarounds that cost too much time and money relative to execute. Call me crazy, but I still think that finishing a system on time and on budget is what makes the difference between being a profitable company and puttering around so much that it’s really just a hobby.
On the topic of problem solving, don’t get bogged down in solutions that create more work than they solve. The cardinal rules of troubleshooting should always be observed, which is that the problem must be repaired, and that future foreseeable problems have been prevented. But the best solution is the one that does all that while costing the least amount of time and money to implement.
Switching analogies from the Soviets to Ancient Greece: Consider Alexander the Great and the Gordian Knot.
Instead of trying to untangle the knot, he cut it in half with his sword.
Here’s my favorite example of simple and direct: Years ago on one project we installed over a dozen wireless music zones. The client’s 2.4 GHz cordless phone was interfering with the zone players, a problem we had never encountered before.
What was the solution? Sending a technician to Costco and buying the client a different brand of cordless phone. Total cost: $150, plus driving time. And it worked perfectly!
Cleverness, resourcefulness and a dogged approach to problem solving are laudable. But that doesn’t mean making things complicated. Keep it simple, and remember that the client just wants it all to work. Leave a Comment
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In the Flat-Panel vs. Projector Wars, 70″ Monitors Take a Hit Radius Global Market Research is one of the largest independent market research companies in the world and they just released a study shows most kids (58 percent) can’t read content on 70” monitors.
The study was conducted with 106 students ages 12-to-22 in groups of approximately 30 at a time. Students were asked to read typical education content including charts and text-based information displayed on a top-selling 70-inch flat panel in a traditional 30-foot-by-30-foot classroom, and then write down six short items of information from what they saw. The students sat in five rows 22-feet wide (six seats per row) with the first row approximately eight feet from the display, and the last row about 27 feet from the display.
The overall results indicated that, on average, 17 out of 30 students per classroom were not able to read the content on the 70-inch flat panel, defined as writing down at least one item incorrectly.
“The majority of students evaluated in the study clearly had difficulty reading the content displayed on the 70-inch flat panel,” said Shira Horn, vice president, Radius Global Market Research.
The research findings support the 4/6/8 Rule for display size recommendations. The 4/6/8 Rule is a long-standing guideline commonly used by AV integrators and installers for determining the appropriate sized displays for different environments including classrooms, conference rooms and large venues.
Further, the results of the study are also consistent with the InfoComm DISCAS draft standard published by InfoComm International, the trade association representing the professional audio/visual and information communications industries worldwide. Using the DISCAS draft standard to calculate the Farthest Viewing Distance for Basic Decision Making — a 70-inch display would not be recommended for viewing text based educational content at distances of approximately 18 feet and beyond.
You can read the entire report here.
The study was funded by a projector manufacturer, Epson, but Radius Global Market Research is cited as a top-50 research firms in the world. Leave a Comment
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InfoComm Top Ten Tour Submissions OpenFor the fifth year in a row, we will publish the ONLY tour guides for InfoComm — where attendees can walk booth-by-booth and see the Top 10 new products that we think you gotta see at the show. Just as we did last year, we will produce the Top 10 Tour Guide print thousands of copies as well as post it online (and in the rAVe NEWS iOS and Android App) for easy access for attendees to use while walking the show.
That means we need your help! If you think you’re launching a product that is worthy of the Top 10 (Gotta See) Tour at InfoComm 2016, we want to hear from you.
Yes, we know you want to keep your InfoComm product launches a secret — but unless you tell us what you’re launching, how are we supposed to know if your new gadget is Top 10 worthy? We will sign an NDA and keep any embargo dates you need us to.
You CANNOT submit a product that’s already been announced – anywhere in the world. Thus, all the products MUST be launching after June 1st, 2016 — AGAIN, the product CANNOT be announced before the 1st of June this year. The deadline for submission of products to be considered is Friday, May 20th at midnight ET. There is NO cost for consideration — we just want the best products.
Email rAVe Founder, Gary Kayye, directly and let him know what you’ve got at gary@ravepubs.com. You can also call him at the office at 919.969.7501. Leave a Comment
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Kramer US Appoints New CEOKramer Electronics has announced the appointment of a new CEO for its U.S. sales office, Steve Biegacki, effective May 1st. Biegacki replaces Dave Bright, who announced his retirement in August of last year. Bright will stay on as acting chairman of the board until his actual retirement at the end of 2016.
Before joining Kramer, Biegacki served as senior vice president of global sales and marketing at Belden, a global leader in end-to-end signal transmission solutions for mission-critical network infrastructure in industrial, enterprise and broadcast markets.
During his eight-year tenure with the company, Biegacki contributed significantly to improving sales and marketing processes. His achievements included leading the creation of the Belden Market Delivery System and driving profitable revenue growth.
Biegacki began his career at Rockwell Automation (formerly Allen-Bradley) in 1978. Throughout his nearly 30 years at Rockwell, Biegacki held various positions in sales and marketing management. As vice president of marketing, Biegacki led the globalization of Rockwell Automation’s marketing function, provided leadership in defining targeted customer segments and worked to align the product portfolio with customer needs. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from ETI Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio.
Kramer is here. Leave a Comment
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Chuck Wilson of NSCA Is “Doing It”In an open letter to the industry, NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson, Explains how the quiet organization is doing all its work behind the scenes:
The NSCA Education Foundation is a relatively quiet – but very effective – resource for our industry. The effectiveness of this charitable organization can be attributed to the fact that the board members are all highly engaged industry thought leaders who clearly understand the needs of the industry.
Here’s what the NSCA Education Foundation has been working on to positively impact our industry behind the scenes:
Ignite
It has become clear that we have a lack of awareness – and an image problem – with students who are deciding on their future college or career plans. So the Foundation decided to do something about integrators’ overwhelming frustration in finding young talent to join their companies.
Ignite will arm integration firms and consultants with marketing and promotional materials to use at job fairs and share with students and young professionals considering the commercial technology industry. Career awareness and outreach to high school students, parents, administrators, and guidance counselors will generate interest and provide a pathway to the many colleges and career centers that can educate students about our industry.
PASS K-12
The PASS K-12 initiative started after a site visit to an inner-city Chicago high school. It would have been easy to just shake our heads and walk away from what we saw, but instead we decided to do something.
We called together others who we knew would support the idea of providing expertise on the situation. Fast forward to today: We now have a comprehensive set of guidelines to follow when developing and implementing a technology roadmap for K-12 schools, based upon input from leading security and life safety systems experts.
ESPA
The NSCA Education Foundation provides financial support for this important organization, which established industry-recognized training and certification for entry-level electronic systems technicians (ESTs). It provides students enrolled in EST programs the opportunity to pursue C-EST certification while still in school. This helps address the shortage of qualified installers and entry-level techs in our industry.
Testing and processing fees are covered by the Foundation. It is estimated that 300+ certified electronic systems technicians enter our industry every year, thanks to the NSCA Education Foundation.
Scholarships
By now, likely over 1,000 people have benefited from the Foundation’s scholarship program. Each year, the Foundation board meets to allocate funding. This year, we launched the Hester scholarship program, which will be directed toward those who have served in the military.
New Education Programs
Dozens of courses and new training programs benefiting the industry have been developed though funding from Foundation donations. The latest program to receive funding: the Pivot to Profit event this fall. Like with so many other NSCA tools and services, these programs receive initial seed money from the NSCA Education Foundation.
Research
We typically provide the industry with two or three reports/studies per year. These range from the annual Financial Analysis of the Industry and biannual Electronic Systems Outlook reports to our Compensation & Benefits Report. The Foundation sees the educational benefits of integrators using this valuable research and information to make positive impacts on business.
Helping Others
Sometimes we help others because it’s the right thing to do. The Foundation has provided support for people who have fallen on hard times, lost family members, or simply need to pay for education to get established in their careers.
I’m very proud of the efforts and causes supported by the NSCA Education Foundation. If you want to become part of this organization – do something to give back and to help others – we welcome you.
–Chuck Wilson, NSCA Executive Director Leave a Comment
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Compound Photonics Likely Freaked Out Texas Instruments’ DLP Team Yesterday With 14mm 4K Resolution Chip LaunchAt Display Summit China, Compound Photonics introduced what it’s calling the world’s smallest native 4K imaging device, measuring only 14 millimeters diagonally and featuring pixels smaller than three microns. Compound Photonics is an eight-year old technology company whose engineering and marketing teams are comprised of some of the brightest stars in the photonics and projection industries.
Hidden at the bottom of their press announcement was the contact information for Pierre Richer — former NEC Display president and CEO! So, this is the REAL DEAL!
“Compound Photonics is the biggest and most capable photonics and projector manufacturer that you have most likely never heard of,” declared Tim Anderson, the company’s vice president of product management in his Display Summit presentation. “We are the company that has succeeded in introducing the world to RGB solid state laser based technology, making it finally possible to manufacture a 3,000 lumen lamp-less native 4K projector that rivals the performance delivered by today’s solid state displays.”
So, what’s all this mean? Well, in case you aren’t reading between the lines, there’s a new projection company about to hit the market with a pure-laser projector, using a technology that the company claims is higher resolution AND smaller than DLP — the dominant projection technology, as far as quantity goes, in the market right now. So, this could be big.
Compound Photonics says that the use of RGB laser technology eliminates lamps, creates a huge new color gamut to work with, and enables balancing the color output of each color channel to achieve a perfect white point. And, Anderson claimed that Compound Photonics has invested significant engineering resources to reduce the cost of RGB lasers and speckle.
“Projector customers around the world want to be able to project a huge image in full daylight and still have an outstanding image,” Anderson said. “Our engineers have developed specific algorithms that use an expanded color gamut made possible by RGB laser technology. These algorithms combat ambient light and dramatically improve color contrast.”
Anderson said that Compound Photonics offered capabilities ranging from tiny, bright, full HD laser light engines for mobile devices, an embedded 1080P projector that is less than two cubic centimeters in size, IR and Green lasers, head-up car displays, near-eye augmented reality, and gesture recognition. “We are a team of over 300 scientists, technologists, software engineers, and marketers that are committed to changing the way consumers interact with technology. Our corporate directory is a veritable ‘who’s who’ of technology and includes veterans of IBM, InFocus, Epson, NEC, Philips, Pixelworks and Microsoft,” he said.
Compound Photonics’ primary manufacturing and design centers are located in Phoenix, Arizona and Newton Aycliffe in the United Kingdom. The company also has offices in Vancouver, Washington; Redmond, Washington; Madison, Wisconsin; and Chicago, Illinois. The company was founded in 2008.
Here’s a link to exactly how the technology works. Leave a Comment
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Vivitek Adds Three Projectors for Small Business and Education Vivitek just launched the D830 series that includes three models; the DH833 and DX831 (spec’d at 4500 ANSI lumens and the DW832 at 5,000 ANSI lumens at resolutions of 1080p, XGA or WXGA, respectively.
The new Vivitek D830 series includes analog and digital (HDMI and MHL) connectivity and claim a contrast ratio of 15,000:1 and the series is aimed at SMB and education installations. The new Vivitek projectors use a 4000 hour lamp and all three include a Vivitek feature called Dynamic Eco Plus mode and Auto Power Off function when there is no signal input and are compatible with Crestron RoomView, Extron, AMX SSDP as well as network control.
One interesting feature of the entire series is the they can have the Vivitek NovoPRO added to allow for wireless connectivity and collaboration for up to 64 users in the room (think Barco ClickShare but for Vivitek). With NovoPRO as the hub, multiple devices can be connected fast and simple at one time, while four can be simultaneously projecting in a split screen. To make operation simpler, the optional Launcher allows for instantaneous screen sharing though this USB plug-and-play connected device.
All three projectors are priced under $,1000 and are all shipping. The NovoPro with four-input Launchers is about $999 and all of them are here. Leave a Comment
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Barco Intros New Line of Laser-Phosphor Projectors for Simulation Barco just launched a new family of solid-state (laser) projectors to the simulation market. This new family of laser-phosphor projectors will exist alongside their LED range. The F90 — the first projector to be launched in this family — is spec’d at 13,000 lumens and up to 4K UHD (3840×2160) resolution.
The F90 series was designed with smearing reduction for fast-moving objects and has something called Single Step Processing (SSP) technology, which, Barco says, ensures lower latency than competing technologies, makes sure that, even in fast-moving simulation systems, the sense of reality is upheld at all times. The embedded warp and blend capability, Constant Light Output (CLO), unmatched color performance over time and dual iris system with optical filters for a great contrast range, guarantee that images can be displayed in any simulation system. And, the laser-phosphor light source is spec’d at 40,000 hours.
All the specs on the F90 series are here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships Three New Capacitive Screen TouchLink Pro Touchpanels Extron is shipping three new TouchLink Pro touch panel models: the 12” TLP Pro 1220TG, 10” TLP Pro 1022T and the 5” TLC Pro 521M feature capacitive and vibrant glass touchscreens that provide more responsive control surfaces and greater viewing angles. The TLP Pro 1220TG features video preview inputs that support high resolution HDCP-compliant video from HDMI sources and Extron XTP devices. The TLC Pro 521M TouchLink Pro controller features a secure and powerful built-in control processor and supports Ethernet-controllable devices. All three customizable touchpanels feature faster processing and more memory. For ease of integration, these touchpanels receive power and communication over a single Ethernet cable. Their designs and features make them ideal for control applications requiring fully-customizable touchpanels with flexible mounting options.
All of these new touchpanels are designed for use in AV system applications that require complete, interactive control of a broad range of devices. TouchLink Pro touchpanels operate using standard network infrastructure and are easy to install with reliable and cost effective Ethernet cable. They are customized using Extron GUI Designer software. This intuitive interface design software offers ready-to-use resource kits to help design a wide variety of interfaces for rooms and presentation environments. For mounting flexibility, the TLP Pro 1220TG and TLP Pro 1022T can be removed from their bases and mounted on a standard VESA mounting arm or bracket. The TLC Pro 521M can be mounted in landscape or portrait orientation on a wall, lectern or any flat surface, including glass.
All of them are here. Leave a Comment
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Datapath Releases the Fx4 4K Video Wall Driver Datapath has introduced the Datapath Fx4, a multi-display controller with four outputs and three inputs from a single box.
Features include DisplayPort 1.2 capture (with loop-through) at 4K/UHD at 60fps and HDMI 1.4 4K capture at 30fps. All inputs and outputs support HDCP content and can be programmed and controlled independently through either a local USB connection or the on-board network interface. And, via the DisplayPort1.2 loop-through, any of the inputs can be daisy chained to build video walls. With dual Ethernet port capability, only one Datapath Fx4 in the chain requires connection to the physical LAN as Ethernet loop-through is supported on the second port, meaning multiple devices can be connected. Developed for stand-alone operation, the non-volatile operation of the Datapath Fx4 can adapt to input changes by automatically adjusting all scale factors.
With the assistance of Datapath’s Wall Designer software, varying video wall designs can be accomplished via an on-screen viewer that can be designed to mimic your wall configuration. Wall Designer allows users to add displays from a database of monitors. Users can also visualise their content by adding inputs, adjust display regions and instantly program all linked devices. With bezel correction, image rotation, cropping, scaling and mirroring options, as well as the ability to overlap or replicate any splice of the source material, there are limitless creative configurations.
The outputs are four “genlocked” HDMI or DisplayPort HD 1080p connections. Each output monitor can take its input from any region of the input image as all of the required cropping, scaling, rotation and frame-rate conversion is handled by the Datapath Fx4 hardware. These regions can overlap to permit any output to replicate another, or can be configured to support any creative splice of the source material. This allows the support of many non-rectangular screen arrangements, as well as any mix of monitor orientations, permitting users to create an almost unlimited multi-monitor canvas.
Datapath will be at InfoComm and the Fx4 is here. Leave a Comment
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Comprehensive Intros Series of 4K HDCP 2.2 Splitters Comprehensive Connectivity just debuted a series of HDMI 2.2 4K@60 (YUV420 with a chroma subsampling rate of 4:2:0) resolution capable splitters (two-port, four-port and eight-port).
Comprehensive’s series of HDMI splitters (CDA-HD220EK, CDA-HD420EK, CDA-HD820EK) provides the user the ability to split a single HDMI 2.2 source for connecting to up to eight simultaneous HDMI output displays while supporting Ultra High Definition (UHD). The series of HDMI splitters are designed to support HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, 3D, 12-bit Deep Color as well as High Definition Lossless Audio. Combined with EDID selections, the user is in control to choose between TV (downstream) or STD (fixed) settings. In addition, the splitters support video signals up to UHD 4K@60Hz (YUV420) and are capable of receiving and transmitting up to 10.2Gbps of bandwidth and Comprehensive claims with no data loss. The splitters also support 3D, LPCM 7.1CH, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as 36-bit Deep Color and High Definition Lossless Audio.
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Aurora Debuts DXP-62 Presentation Scaler/SwitcherThe Aurora DXP-62 is a presentation scaler/switcher that takes HDMI, VGA, component (YPbPr) and composite inputs scaling all up to 1900×1200 HD resolution output. It accepts up to four HDMI inputs and two VGA/YPbP/composite inputs and scales all of them and send the output to both an HDMI and an HDBaseT output simultaneously. The HDBaseT output will pass PoH power to the included HDBaseT Receiver as well as RS232 and IR control for the display. With the addition of four external audio inputs, additional MIC input with independent volume control, de-embedding line level stereo output and auto sensing/switching video inputs, the DXP-62 is aimed at Classrooms, Conference Rooms and AV Cart applications.
Control is RS232. IR or LAN and the switcher has both VGA (computer, component and composite signals) and HDMI (digital signals) ports to handle the various input types and it’s made to be mounted under a table or podium.
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WyreStorm Targets Sports Bar Market with New Touch Control AppWyreStorm is launching a new app, called Touch, for iPad that enables live video preview and control of an their NetworkHD 100 and 200-Series. The Touch App allows for switching along with real-time I/O video previews on an iPad screen. A live preview of all selected content is displayed in main video placeholders on the iPad screen, as well as live video thumbnail previews of connected sources along the bottom of the screen.
Displays can be grouped into rooms, areas or video walls, with users able to save favorite preset configurations and even switch all displays to a single source for flexibility over how content is selected and to where a user wants it to go.
For video wall applications, Touch makes it possible to access settings and change preset display configurations within the NetworkHD 200 Series system and then drag and drop new content onto the iPad virtual display placeholders. Wall layouts can be changed, saved and recalled with live video previews of all sources and selected content displayed on-screen instantly and at the same time using WyreStorm’s QuickSync technology.
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NEC to Debut MultiSync X554HB at InfoCommIntegrated with a built-in NFC (near field communication) sensor for control and maintenance, the new NEC MultiSync X554HB is a 1920×1080 LED-lit LCD monitor that’s spec’d at a 5000:1 contrast ratio and integrates a human proximity sensor that can change brightness, volume, and inputs or power the display up or down. The X554HB is designed to be installed in shop windows or in cabinets for outdoor applications, offering high levels of brightness. The display can be seen clearly in bright locations where external light shines in and is thus optimal for digital signage on which information must be displayed accurately.
Other features include HDBaseT inputs (along with HDMI), an OPS slot for a digital signage player, LAN support and a DisplayPort input for daisy-chain display in video wall applications. The DisplayPort connection also makes a 2×2 video wall with native Ultra High Definition 4K/2K (3,840×2,160) possible.
This optional human (motion) sensor accessory (KT-RC2) helps to deliver creative digital signage to end users by allowing for dynamic control of brightness, audio and source inputs while saving on operating costs. Auto dimming adjusts the backlight of the LCD automatically depending on the amount of ambient light.
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BenQ Debuts PV3200PT 4K UHD Monitor BenQ America today launched its PV3200PT IPS and 4K resolution monitor. Purpose-built for 4K video postproduction applications, the 32-inch 4K Ultra HD display (3840×2160) has 10-bit color capability and 100-percent sRGB color, following the Rec. 709 standard.
One interesting feature of the BenQ PV3200PT is that they claim it can reproduce color tones with a Delta-E value of less than or equal to two and features a 14-bit 3D Look Up Table (LUT) for RGB color blending. In addition, BenQ claims the monitor offers a brightness uniformity function enabling it to maintain a consistent image across the entire display. By balancing brightness to a deviation and chromaticity less than 10 percent, the monitor offers a more consistent viewing experience. Individually tested to verify performance, the PV3200PT also features simple hardware and software calibration by allowing users to adjust the unit’s image processing chip without altering graphics card data.
An OSD controller provides preset custom modes so users can quickly switch between Rec. 709, EBU and SMPTE-C modes, increasing editing efficiency while saving time. ThePV3200PT monitor is part of BenQ’s Eye-Care models, which are designed to increase visual comfort while performing common computer tasks. While conventional screens flicker at a rate of 200 times per second, BenQ’s ZeroFlicker technology eliminates flickering at all brightness levels to effectively reduce eye fatigue and provide a more comfortable viewing experience during prolonged sessions of computer use. The monitor also includes ergonomic customization such as height, tilt, pivot and swivel adjustments.
BenQ’s PV3200PT monitor is shipping and lists for $1,499. Here are all the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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Premier Mounts Releases Mounting Solutions for Samsung OH-D DisplaysPremier Mounts has released new weather-resistant mounting solutions for Samsung 46” and 55” OH-D displays. The P-Series display mounts are now available with the industry’s-first dedicated adapters for the Samsung OH-D series of displays. Premier says that this new display mount allows for safe outdoor installation while protecting the display and its external power supply and it can adapt to ceiling mounted applications and has options to mount in landscape or portrait mode.
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JBL Pro by HARMAN Intros Control SB2210 Dual 10-Inch Compact Subwoofer JBL Professional by HARMAN just launched the Control SB2210, a dual 10-inch subwoofer that combines high output and compact size into one product. The JBL Control SB2210 is meant to be used with the new JBL Control Contractor Surface-Mount Loudspeaker models — the Control 23-1, 25-1 and 28-1.
Power capacity for the JBL Control SB2210 has been increased to 500 watts, and it features a flatter frequency response with an improved bass extension to 38 Hz, a combination that delivers solid sonic impact. The new 10-inch drivers’ woven fiberglass cones deliver robust performance and the highly damped butyl rubber surround and linear suspension spider provide clean sound quality with low distortion.
Installation options include floor placement, wall or ceiling attachment via an optional U-bracket, or suspension via 13 included M6 insert points. The cabinet is available in black or white and is paintable.
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Barco Adds Audio Solution to Simulation Line Barco will officially roll out its new immersive audio system for simulation this month. Using their IOSONO audio processor for immersive sound experiences, Barco will bring what it says is the same high fidelity to audio for simulation systems as it does for visualization.
To make simulation systems approximate reality as closely as possible, you need to involve as many senses as possible. Up to now, simulation systems have largely been restricted to visualization. Barco is now adding great audio − which is of crucial importance, for example, in large simulation systems and dome setups, where the trainee cannot see the entire projection canvas at a glance. The audio cues alert the trainee as to where to look, adding substantially to the sense of realism the simulation system provides.
Barco’s IOSONO audio system has already proven its power to the market. First conceived for the cinema and entertainment market, its unique way of working makes it perfect for simulation as well. Contrary to existing approaches — which use fixed sound positioning — Barco’s IOSONO system uses real-time rendering of the sound to position it where it normally would be relative to the trainee’s position.
The IOSONO Core processor includes fast processing moving objects, such as human-generated noise, cars, and aircraft. The sound always follows the object, no matter how fast it is traveling, providing the audio cues needed to spot objects even when they are not in visual range.
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Symetrix Composer v5.1 Claims Faster Programming and Control Symetrix has released the latest version of programming software for Edge, Radius and Prism DSPs. In addition to DSP design, Composer v5.1 for Windows natively configures the setup and routing of Symetrix Dante I/O expanders, along with select third-party Dante devices. With Composer, integrators can program a complete end-to-end DSP signal path using just one application.
Composer v5.1 features an assortment of new DSP and workflow enhancements. Major upgrades to the AEC set-up screen deliver faster and more efficient diagnostics and troubleshooting. On the DSP side, AEC double-talk performance and comfort-noise quality have been significantly improved upon. A 20% increase in tail length, now 300ms, facilitates the algorithm’s adaptation performance in larger, more reverberant acoustic spaces. Flex EQ modules have been expanded to support up to 32 bands, increasing usability especially when cleaning up regeneration due to room modes.
Not surprisingly, much of v5.1 focuses on Dante. There’s expanded Composer native support for select third-party devices, notably, the addition of Ashly. Along with faster and easier editing of Dante channel names, Composer’s Dante Flow Manager and site file reports now consolidate information on transmit and receive channels, providing a complete view of Dante utilization in a single report.
With 5.1’s addition of embedded server audio metering and diagnostics support for all Radius, Prism, and Edge DSPs, integrators can troubleshoot any Composer-designed system by simply launching a web browser and entering a specific unit’s IP address.
Information is more centralized and accessible in Composer v5.1. An All Controls tab makes the Remote Control Manager a true central hub for all aspects of control in the system by listing every parameter in the site file; filtering options make locating and assigning a particular parameter quick and easy. ARCs and Remote Control Numbers have been split into their own tabs, providing more space to show longer lists of ARCs and controller numbers.
Symetrix Composer v5.1 is available for download immediately here. Leave a Comment
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Fulcrum Acoustic Unveils New Subcardioid Subwoofer Fulcrum Acoustic just introduced the FLS115 Subcardioid Subwoofer; a companion to the FL283 Subcardioid Line Array. The FLS115 is designed for large venues, including performing arts centers, houses of worship, sporting facilities and nightclubs.
Using Fulcrum’s Passive Cardioid Technology, the FLS115 claims to reduce excessive rear low frequency radiation without the need for additional drivers, amplifiers, or signal processing. The FLS115 delivers superior LF directional control and rear rejection without the loss of efficiency commonly found in active cardioid devices.
Like the companion FL283, the FLS115 enclosure and rigging are designed to accommodate up to 20 degrees of splay between adjacent cabinets, providing for more sharply curved arrays than comparable line array systems.
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Neets Audio Amplifier 2:25 and Neets Rack Shelf Ships Neets just announced it is shipping its new Neets Audio Preamplifier, Neets Audio Amplifier and Neets Rack Shelf. The Neets Audio Preamplifier is a network controlled audio preamplifier controlled through LAN or RS-232. The Preamplifier adds additional RS-232 and I/O ports for expansion of the AV system and integrates with Neets and 3rd party control systems.
Neets Audio Amplifier 2:25 is a network controlled stereo audio amplifier controlled through LAN or RS232. The Audio Amplifier – 2:25 is a two-channel amplifier, which adds additional RS232 and I/O ports for expansion and I/O ports for expansion and integrates with Neets and third-party control systems.
The Neets Rack Shelf is a rack shelf for Neets Audio Amplifier 2:25 and Neets Audio Preamplifier.
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Bose Professional Ships F1 Model 812 Passive Flexible Array LoudspeakerBose Professional announced that the F1 Model 812 Passive Flexible Array loudspeaker is now shipping. This new passive loudspeaker, along with a powered model introduced in 2015, are the first loudspeakers offering “FLEX array technology.” The ability to configure the array into four unique shapes lets installers focus sound to target listening areas, offering exceptional power and clarity for a wide range of applications and venues. This is a very cool idea and we shot a video of it at ISE here.
The passive F1 loudspeaker is designed for permanent installations in sports bars, live music venues, clubs, schools, houses of worship and any small to medium size venue requiring a high performance loudspeaker solution.
Included with an array of eight Bose proprietary 2.25-inch drivers, 100-degree horizontal waveguides, a high-powered 12-inch woofer and a lower crossover point, F1 Model 812 passive loudspeakers deliver high SPL performance while maintaining vocal and midrange clarity that’s better than conventional installable products. The F1 Passive loudspeaker has a rugged enclosure with Six M8 threaded insert points that can be combined with a full suite of optional mounting accessories including Pan and tilt, yoke and U bracket options. Additionally, both the portable and installed F1 systems offer easy setup, aesthetically pleasing design and rugged durability.
Bose F1 Model 812 Passive Flexible Array is 26.1″ H x 13.1″ W x 14.6″ D and 47 pounds (21.31 kilograms). Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Clockaudio Launches Retractable, Motorized Ceiling Tri-Element Array Hanging MicrophoneClockaudio just introduced a new combination product, the CCRM4000-C303W-RF Retractable, Motorized Ceiling Tri- Element Hanging microphone array. Designed for audio or video conferencing, the new product offers consultants, integrators and designers a new option when specifying hanging microphones that need to be completely retractable.
The CCRM4000-C303W-RF is optimized for speech intelligibility and features the same three high quality Cardioid capsules that cover a 360 degree pick up pattern, with each independent capsule being RF immune and capturing approximately 120 degrees. It is easy to install, and also compatible with all popular DSP units. For applications where table microphones are not an option, the C303W-RF offers a great alternative to bring the microphone capsules closer to the participant, with a minimal foot print in the conference room.
Designed for use in boardrooms, conferencing and a wide variety of applications, the CCRM4000 – C303W-RF offers an alternative to installations where the microphone equipment needs to be able to “disappear” from sight. The retractable unit enables the microphone to completely withdraw back into the ceiling when not in use, leaving the room aesthetically pleasing and ready for other functions.
The CCRM-4000 – C303W-RF master units ship complete with a ceiling mounted IR sensor, remote control, C303W-RF Tri-Element Microphone, ceiling bezel with locking ring, 18VDC power supply unit, ceiling tile mounting bracket and safety cable. Slave units are also available.
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Audipack Launches FSW-Atlas Mobile Mount AV SystemThe FSW Atlas is a mobile, large-screen mount system that Audiopack is calling a “trolly,” which includes an integrated speakers and all necessary connections for power and signal routing. Included with lockable wheels, the rollable mount system includes connectivity for HDMI, RJ45, PowerCON and space for other connections.
In the vertical columns of the mount include two 30 Watt speakers, all the cables and the three-fold power strip are invisible integrated in the frame. With the L&S 5 or multi-VESA mounting bracket, the screen is easily installed. It’s also height-adjustable.
The FSW-Atlas supports screens up to 65 inch and 30 kg and has a Lock & Secure 5 mounting interface. The bigger version, the FSW-Atlas XL is equipped for screens up to 100 inches and 85 kilograms and has a multi-VESA mounting interface.
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Elite Screens Debuted the WhiteboardScreen TE Elite Screen’s WhiteboardScreen Thin Edge (TE) series is the latest in Elite’s line of whiteboard-projection screens designed to work with today’s standard, short throw and UST projectors. It uses Elite’s Versawhite 1.1 gain matte white projection surface that allows for a wide viewing angle for training/classroom applications. The material is coated with a scratch-resistant optical nanotech resin. This allows the screen to also serve as a dry-erase board. It’s also GREENGUARD (UL 2818) certified for indoor air quality compliance.
The 5mm thin-edge design serves two purposes. First, it protects the screen’s exterior while allowing the instructor to maximize presentation space. Second, it has an aesthetically pleasing appearance that also supports a utility tray that can even accommodate interactive projector accessories. It is recognized by seasoned instructors to be the ideal and cost-effective classroom solution that can even be modified to serve as an interactive video display.
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Active Thermal Management Debuts Two New Products for InfoCommThe Active Thermal Management Cool-rack is a 2U, four-fan temperature-controlled cooler for racks that are “in the open.” Factory set to go on and off at 90 and 85 degrees, these set points are easily changed using front panel push buttons. The temperature display adds a nice professional touch to this inexpensive (list $360.00) rack cooler.
Two other recent additions to the ATM line are the rack-mount and table-mount Cool-controls. Each is a thermal switch (with display) that adds automatic operation to racks or cabinets that came with fans — but not thermal switches. Just plug them into an AC socket and plug the fans (or their wall-warts if DC fans) into Cool-control. Put the remote thermal sensor on the hottest component in the rack or cabinet, and you’re done! Like the Cool-rack described above, on and off temperatures are easily changed.
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