Volume 14, Issue 17 — September 8, 2016
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Editorial Editorial Editorial
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Industry News Control & Signal Processing Digital Signage Displays Projection Audio Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories Media Players, Recording & Distribution Staging & Live Events
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AMX Lowers Price of the Enova DGX 100 But, Instead of Writing that Story, I Wrote This One: Where in the Heck is AMX?
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
Since the acquisition of AMX by HARMAN, many of us in the HomeAV and ProAV markets have been wondering what happened to AMX. And, it’s not just that they’ve shrunk their once giant booths to tent-sized displays housed inside the larger HARMAN family. In fact, during that same period of time, Extron stopped exhibiting at InfoComm and ISE shows and Crestron stopped being at CEDIA — yet, both Extron and Crestron come top-of-mind with nearly any AV-integration or design firm. So, yes, the AMX presence has been minimized, but it appears to be a bigger issue than that.
However, talk to anyone at AMX on-the-record, you get the “everything is great and we are growing and investing big-time” statement. Off-the-record, the story is different. For example, I’ve personally been contacted by more current AMX’ers than any other company in AV right now (an inordinate number of people for a supposedly-thriving company) seeking other employment opportunities. Granted, it could be related to the fact that I worked there for a while, but I think it’s a bigger issue than that.
And then, there’s the SVSi factor. Back in summer of 2015, HARMAN bought SVSi and put them under the AMX umbrella and they’ve all but disappeared from the mainstream AV over IP discussion. Sure, there are installs — in fact, an entire university campus in Australia was celebrating their successful integration of SVSi campus-wide last week at the Sydney, Australia-based Integrate 2016 show — but, when I talked to reps from four of the top five dealers in North America this week, they told me that AMX had slipped from their number two control system company to number three.
And now, as I put the finishing touches on this blog, I receive, in my inbox, AMX’s most recent announcement — the 20 percent price reduction of “several Enova DGX Boards and the Enova DXLink Transmitters and Receivers.” It seemed to strengthen my perception as well as that of the AVI-SPL employee that sent it to me today. Why? Well, the Enova DGX is their flagship digital media product and digital media is the fastest growing segment of the ProAV switching and routing market right now — who isn’t converting from analog to digital?
I reached out to AMX’s communications and marketing teams to help understand what is going on — and, in fact, even sent them a draft of this blog — to give them a chance to respond BUT there was no response.
I am dumbfounded.
AMX was once the top control system company in the world. They acquired York Controls — then, the #2 control system company — and were on top. Then, in 2005, still the #2 control system company in the market, they were acquired by Duchossois Industries for $315 Million. While part of Duchossois (who, at the time, also owned Chief Manufacturing and Sanus), AMX acquired Endeleo, AutoPatch (remember them??) and then Matrix Audio Designs — all three were AV switching and routing companies. It was clear by the end of 2006 that AMX saw AV switching as their next growth market. And, they did have a great launch into the market with the original Enova digital media matrix back in early 2012.
So, what happened since then?
When HARMAN bought them in 2014, I thought that was a nearly-perfect merger. Why? HARMAN was all audio. AMX was all video. And, AMX had a nearly $2 Billion installed base of control system users while HARMAN was trying to figure out what to do with HiQnet at the time. So, it was logical that HARMAN would leverage AMX’s control protocol and add it to HiQnet and have universal control and ID across all product lines including big brands like JBL, Crown, dvx, Lexicon, AKG, Soundcraft and others.
But, so far, that hasn’t come to fruition. And, if anything, AMX is nearly everyone’s third-choice control company behind Crestron and Extron in the commercial AV world.
HARMAN is a giant and could have something up their sleeve with AMX. But, if they do, they should let us know or, at the very least, certainly let the people at AMX know. They have a talented pool of commercial AV experts that they shouldn’t want to lose. Some are so well known that, if they left and went to a competitor, for example, they’d likely take millions of dollars of business with them because in the control systems world, business is done primary via relationships. Sure, products matter, but the relationships these account managers and consultant/experts have carry millions of dollars worth of loyalty in each region.
HARMAN, founded in only 1980, is already a $7 Billion company whose net income in 2015 was over $700 Million. They have money. But, truth is, only 1/7th of that is commercial AV — nearly $6 Billion of it was from connected cars ($3.1 Billion), consumer lifestyle audio ($2.1 Billion) and “services” (about $700 million). So, maybe AMX is lost in the mix of the other ProAV business competing with the likes of better-known brands like Crown Audio and JBL Professional.
Now what?
Time will tell. Will AMX drop below Savant — who’s clearly aiming for the ProAV market — and other HomeAV to ProAV crossovers like URC (Universal Remote Control) and RTI (who’s launching a commercial AV control system line later this month)? And then of course you have Crestron and Extron, who just keep getting bigger and bigger.
Will AMX be in the mix?
Author’s Note: Over the past week, I have reached out to AMX and HARMAN for comment and offered them a chance to rebut this blog. I even sent them the blog BEFORE publishing so they could give proper comment, but I never received a response. Leave a Comment
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The Future Is Here
By Joel Rollins rAVe Columnist
Over the last couple of months, a lot of the articles here on rAVePubs have had to do with new technology adoption, and the costs involved with being either too early or too late with any new technology.
I am a long-suffering “Innovator” (for those of you who have read Crossing the Chasm, something I heartily recommend) and I have the arrows in my back to prove it. I am the eternal technological optimist, usually ready to believe that a new technology will change everyone’s life, and willing to help it become so. Because of that, I have gotten to ride the wave of several new technology revolutions, but in the process also nearly been drowned by some of those waves. But I press on, encouraged enough by those that were successful to keep my enthusiasm. In fact, my favorite email signature is a quote from William Gibson that tells us: “The future is already here, it’s just not evenly distributed.”
And I am a distributor.
One of the things that I have always loved about the rental and staging portion of our industry is that we were by our very nature the purveyors of the newest technologies, the people that our clients looked to for an introduction to the latest and greatest. In fact, I have frequently complained that in our industry the typical AV company’s rental department is often treated as the vehicle for technology demonstrations for the sales department.
However, in considering some of this month’s articles, I wonder if that still holds true?
It seems to me that a number of impediments now exist to the rental department doing what it is always done, namely to be the first part of the company to bring in new technologies and market them to their clients. Some of these are:
Technology is ephemeral — in this world of 90 day model changes, and electronic technologies that hit the market, make a splash, but are then quickly replaced by yet another 90 day wonder, can the rental department anymore afford to take the risk on new technologies? And, if we don’t, are we ceding our place as the technology people are clients rely on to explain new things to them?
Technology “branches” — Another great technology risk is now having the correct technology idea but from the wrong vendor. 10 to 15 years ago when a new technology was released, it typically came from one or two companies with which we had long-standing relationships. We attempted to standardize our technology inventory and our training around long relationships with important manufacturers. Today, however, a new technology is likely to hit the market from people that we have never heard of, who may have experience in another field but not ours. they may last, and they may not, so it is difficult to decide whether one can bank on them. On top of this, any new technology introduced this way is likely to immediately have a dozen or so competitors.
Technology that replaces the meeting altogether — Over the last 15 years, lots of technologies have become available to supplement the meeting, and we have learned to deal with them and market them. For instance, when videoconferencing became widespread, a lot of people in the rental industry were afraid that it would replace the public meeting. However, experience tells us that those meetings not only continued, they increased, and we learned to market videoconferencing equipment as part of our rental package to accommodate those meetings. Today, however, even the companies that marketed videoconferencing to us are pushing harder at replacing the meeting altogether, whether it happens via telepresence or in person. Many of these new technologies are web-based, require no hardware other than the computer that’s sitting on their desk already, and are relatively painless to implement. Think about what has happened with improvements to Outlook, and its contemporaries like Cisco’s Spark, technology packages which accommodate meetings but also create nonlinear, threaded communications that can take the place of in person meetings. These companies first marketed videoconferencing as a timesaver that cut out travel time. Now, many of the new marketing efforts seem aimed at making schedules more flexible by making the meeting completely nonlinear, allowing people to “attend” at whatever time they care to. Although we continue to market these technologies within meetings (often now accommodating them through additional big screens that display incoming content to the group), as they become more widely adopted, they will certainly cut down on the number of in person meetings, most especially the smaller ones at first.
So, as usual, I throw the question open for those of you in the meeting rental business. How are you helping your company stay relevant to your clients in a time of increasingly rapid technological change that borders on technological chaos at times?
Next month, we will talk with a number of rental managers about these questions and try to determine if we are still collectively distributing the future.
Stay tuned. Leave a Comment
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Accessibility for Everyone in a Virtual World
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
A great deal of digital ink has been spilled on the phenomenon of Pokémon Go, including on these very pages by Gary Kayye, on the AV Power Up! podcast and, of course, by yours truly. There is one more thought which I’d like to share before I wander off to talk about something else, which is that AR games such as Pokémon GO or Ingress can provide a cautionary tale about maintaining consistency of experience, and that we need to be make careful decisions so as not to leave anyone out.
You Have to Get There
As a game, access to Pokémon Go is not the most important thing in the world. As a part of contemporary culture, a lack of access can be profoundly isolating, especially for those interested in gamer subcultures. Who lacks access? First of all and most obviously are those with mobility impairments. Not only is there nothing in the Americans with Disabilities Act about the placement of Pokéstops, there is, to the best of my knowledge, no mechanism for making their placement accessible. Even for those that are within easy reach at level ground, there remains the issue that players are required to physically travel to them. GPS spoofing to virtually move oneself about the world is explicitly forbidden in the terms of service. The result is a barrier to entry for those without the physical ability to perambulate about their environs.
What does this mean to the rest of us? To me it’s a reminder that we need to plan, to build and to design for everyone. Pokémon Go was designed for the majority of able-bodied people with at least a minimal level of physical fitness. While I’d rather there be concessions to those with a lesser level of physical ability it still is, for all the cultural import, “just a game.” There might be some applications which are more important, which aren’t “just games.” I’d still argue that games are important in that cutting people out of them is cutting them away from culture and, in the case of the best experiences, art. As we design experiences, we have to remember that not everyone has the same abilities and we need to keep everything in mind.
Different Experience in Different Places
One striking thing about these AR games is how different the experience is in different environments. Look at the Pokemon maps from midtown Manhattan and from Suburbia; in the latter case, one would have to walk or drive a few miles from game element to game element. In the former, there are literally dozens of Pokestops within a two block radius. This means that the experience of the game is far, far different and far easier in an urban environment.
The Ingress map in Manhattan is similarly busy. It is, on one hand, very easy to find portals to “attack” and even to link portals into little triangles, each of which gives your team points in the game. What’s nigh impossible is getting some of the achievements the game asks for, such as keeping a portal from being captured for a number of days. Those achievements are best sought in less populated and less trafficked areas.
It also means that if you put an AR object in the middle of suburbia you might attract foot traffic from gamers, while if you put one in the middle of a dense city it might be too far lost in the thicket of other objects to be much of a draw.
Remember Those Without Devices
Another VR experience about which I wrote was a mixed VR/live performance of a piece called The Hubble Cantata in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. They handled the lack of broad adoption of VR headsets with the simple solution of handing them out; Google Cardboard provides a very low-cost way to turn a phone into a VR viewer, even if it is one of middling quality. For those without a phone capable of handling that or who couldn’t download the content there was a two-dimensional broadcast of the content onto a more traditional screen. My point here is that while there are many ways in which we can leverage users’ personal devices, it is still possible — and important — to allow some accommodation for those without such devices.
AR and VR are a new frontier, but one in which we’re not all arriving in the same time and the same way. As they are used for more applications we need to be mindful of ways in which we can leave people behind and avoid doing so. Leave a Comment
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NSCA’s Summer 2016 Electronic Systems Outlook Now Available NSCA’s Electronic Systems Outlook has been recently updated for Summer 2016, and now includes information based upon actual data from Q1 and Q2 of 2016, as well as information forecast for the remainder of the year.
Free for many NSCA members, and available for purchase starting at $199 to others, this updated report provides the newest, most relevant indicators of new business opportunities for integrators. By tracking new construction starts and renovations across multiple markets in the commercial buildings industry, integrators can easily see which verticals are poised to do well this year – and in the years to come.
In its Summer 2016 edition, NSCA’s Electronic Systems Outlook provides an updated view of construction data by market and electronic systems/technology. Current conditions look good for the construction industry. The Electronic Systems Outlook Summer 2016 report provides details on:
- The markets that are (and aren’t) poised to do well
- The construction forecast for 2016 and beyond
- Technologies that are growing in demand
- Developing a focused sales approach
- Keeping tabs on growth and new business opportunities
NSCA and FMI, which partner to bring the integration industry this report, note that the summer forecast has not changed much from the prior report. Growth for construction put in place is expected to be 6 percent. The largest growth markets are lodging, office, commercial, and educational construction. With the exception of commercial construction, all are strong markets, but growing slower than what was experienced in 2015. The possibilities for connectivity seem endless, and that will translate into more optical fiber cable and wireless access, along with more warehouses and data centers.
“Unemployment remains low, so more people have jobs and are spending money,” says NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson. “On the other hand, low unemployment translates into higher wages and difficulties finding workers. To get the most out of these reports, our Member Advisory Council is available to help integrators digest this data and turn it into strategic business opportunities.”
The NSCA Electronic Systems Outlook is free for NSCA Gold and Platinum members, and available for purchase at $199 for Bronze and Silver members. It can be purchased by non-members for $399. Non-members can become NSCA members for $595 and receive this report as part of their membership package, which offers access to discounted education and training opportunities, updates on regional and national government affairs issues, free monthly industry webinars, and other exclusive industry research.
For more information about the Electronic Systems Outlook Summer 2016 report, to see a preview of the report or to join NSCA, go here. Leave a Comment
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Jetbuilt Announces Request for Proposals and Project Sharing Jetbuilt is streamlining and enhancing the Request for Proposals and Project Sharing process with its newest online tool. The Jetbuilt RFP Project Sharing tool eliminates the need for antiquated spreadsheets while providing increased ease of collaboration with clients and vendors.
Jetbuilt’s newly released functionality allows consultants, facility managers and technical directors to utilize the intuitive software to easily go from building rooms and systems, to defining the scope of a project. As users create their RFPs, they can manage photos, drawings and documents associated with the project and effortlessly drop in products from the Jetbuilt database before budgeting their projects and finally creating and delivering a high-end, comprehensive RFP. Then, the project can be shared with vendors to allow for straightforward and immediate collaboration. Users can chat as they work together to refine their project – while the original project remains saved. This allows the project to evolve while working with a selected vendor.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Almo ProAV E4 AV Tour Rolls into Boston September 23 and Dallas October 18Almo Professional A/V today announced the E4 AV Tour will have stops in Boston, MA on September 23 and Dallas, Texas on October 18. Continuing the theme “Experience Your Future Now,” E4 includes all-day training (nearly all is InfoComm CTS RU approved) sessions, hands-on workshops, product and service launches and new manufacturing partners.
Due to its great interest this spring, E4 begins again with the world’s first keynote focused specifically on 4K. Led by Gary Kayye, founder of rAVe Publications, the session (worth 1.5 RUs) discusses the misinformation about 4K, such as exaggerated specs, compatibility and performance. Kayye teaches how to specify, sell and integrate these systems right the first time with just the facts and shares the top four applications for 4K. This session will be streamed live on the rAVePubs Facebook page.
Other technical, technology and business-oriented E4 sessions include:
- Encouraging Interaction in the World of “Me”: Using Interactive LCDs for Productivity (1 RU)
- NEW! Installation Issues for Converged AV/IT Systems (1 RU)
- NEW! OLED: The Curve of the Future (1 RU)
- NEW! Designing Commercial Audio Systems for Maximum Performance & Profit (1 RU)
- The Great Outdoors: High Bright, Outdoor and Weatherized Displays Defined (Dallas Only) (1 RU)
- NEW! Cables, Terminations and Rack-Building (1 RU)
- Dante Audio Networking Fundamentals (1RU)
- NEW! The Planar LED, LCD and 4K Image Experience (1 RU)
The E4 Experience workshops allow attendees to participate in two practical application sessions, both worth InfoComm RUs and available multiple times throughout the E4 events:
- Design a Huddle Space. Put the finishing touches on the design for an interactive huddle space. Use tools such as Barco’s ClickShare to experience how to share, collaborate and inspire.
- Behind the Scenes: Creating the E4 Digital Signage. Learn how digital signage is created behind the scenes for the E4 AV Tour using BrightSign’s BrightAuthor software. Participants will have the opportunity to create and publish their own digital signage.
Samsung’s exclusive showcase room will feature a creative mix of indoor SMART LED signage, semi-outdoor high ambient light displays for storefronts, outdoor displays certified to withstand the elements, a videowall made with seamless tiling and embedded System-on-Chip (SoC) technology, an interactive 82-inch E-Board display solution, a mirror display, and products from the new Samsung 4K display series.
The Samsung Showcase will also include an outdoor display course that highlights research pertaining to outdoor commercial display marketing conditions, what end users look for in outdoor displays, the ROI end users gain for leveraging outdoor technology, and ways to bring bright, brilliant messages outside.
The E4 exhibit hall welcomes Almo’s newest manufacturing partners InFocus, Optima and ViewSonic. Other fall E4 exhibitors include ADTI Media, AKG, Almo Connect Services, Almo Content Creation Services, Almo Installation Services, AMX, ATEN, Barco, Bose Professional, BrightSign, BWG, C2G, Canon, Chief, ClearOne, Comprehensive Connectivity, Da-Lite, dbx, Draper, ELO, Epson, Hitachi, InfoComm, JBL, LG, Listen, NEC, Panasonic, Peerless-AV, Planar, Premier Mounts, QSC, Samsung, SecurityTronix, Sharp, Soundcraft, SunBrite, Tightrope Media, TouchSystems, Tripplite, tvONE and ZeeVee
The E4 AV tour has traveled to cities around the country to provide product, technical and business training needs to thousands of resellers and installers while creating the ideal forum for professional networking. Named the best Training, Consulting/Business Service for the third year in a row, the E4 program offers AV professionals a full day of educational sessions worth InfoComm Renewal Units as well as exclusive access to the newest AV products and services.
E4 Boston is on September 23 at the Boston Marriott Newton and E4 Dallas is on October 18 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas. Both events run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and are entirely free — including parking — for Almo Pro A/V’s reseller, integrator and consultant partners. To register, go here. Leave a Comment
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KanexPro Launches SDI Pro SeriesKanexPro just announced its new SDI Pro Series of products. The lineup includes:
- SDI to HDMI Converter (SDI-SDHDXPRO) is a signal equalizer and re-clocker designed for connecting professional SDI video equipment to any HDMI display or consumer based TVs. Ideal for surveillance systems, rental and staging facilities, post-production and digital cinema, the converter has two SDI loop outputs for sending re-clocked SDI signals and connecting to down-stream equipment.
- HDMI to SDI Converter (SDI-HDSDXPRO) features signal equalizer and re-clocker designed for converting single HDMI signal into two 3G-SDI, HD-SDI signals in professional applications involving broadcasting, post-production and filming. Ideal for surveillance systems, rental and staging facilities, post-production, television studios and digital cinema, the converter auto detects input signals converting the output resolution to correct format.
- SDI Repeater (SDI-HDRPTPRO) with 3D, SDI and HD-SDI, is designed for extending AV signals at longer runs up to 300 meters using single RG6 cable. Additionally, it embeds audio up to 7.1 channels passing ancillary data.
- Fiber Optic SDI Extender (SDI-EXTFIBERPRO) is designed for extending 3G to SDI and HD to SID signals over fiber up to a distance of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) with resolutions up to HD 1080p/60. The Extender is a reliable and secure method of delivering digital HD video, audio, data over long fiber optic cables, commonly found in government command and control systems and digital signage.
- Multi-Video Cross Converter to SDI (SDI-SDI2MULTIPRO), a 3G-SDI to multi-video cross converter and switcher designed to convert SDI and HDMI video and audio to multiple outputs, such as DVI, VGA, component, S-video or composite video. With a powerful up and down video scaler, the Converter supports resolutions up to 1080p60/59.94Hz and 1080p/29.97Hz.
- SDI to Multi-Video Cross Converter (SDI-MULTI2SDIPRO), a multi-cast cross converter providing multiple input conversions from HDMI, DVI, VGA, component, to 3G, HD, SD to SDI and HDMI. Additionally, the converter also features a scaler with resolutions up to 1080p60/59.94Hz and 1080p/29.97Hz.
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Comprehensive Introduces the CSW-HDBT300M Switcher/Scaler to HDMI with HDBaseT Comprehensive Connectivity Company just launched a multi-input switcher for HDMI with HDBaseT that extends signals for distances up to 330 feet over a Cat6/7 cable (CSW-HDBT300M). Comprehensive’s CSW-HDBT300M accepts up to eight various input sources — one DVI, two VGA, one composite video and four HDMI signals. It handles current or legacy input sources and scales their resolution up to 4Kx2K@30Hz (4:2:0).
Comprehensive’s switcher provides EDID management for recognizing multiple display formats and sources with each source routed to any display using the easy-to-read front panel push buttons, IR remote control, RS232 interface or even TCP/IP control that lets the user manage the unit from a web browser. In addition, the switcher unit is HDCP compliant for pass-through content.
Features:
- Scales and transmits distances up to 330 feet through CAT6/7 cable
- Compliant HDMI 1.4 and HDCP 1.3
- Supports resolutions up to 4Kx2K@30Hz (4:2:0)
- Supports PoE, embedded audio, has S/PDIF and stereo audio outputs, EDID and IP control
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Extron Debuts Quantum Ultra Modular 4K Videowall ProcessorExtron just introduced the Quantum Ultra, a modular 4K videowall processor with 4K scaling and windowing technology for a wide range of applications. The Quantum Ultra features the Extron Vector 4K 4:4:4 scaling engine and 400 Gbps HyperLane video bus capable of carrying a multitude of high-resolution sources for unmatched real-time performance. A single processor can support multiple videowalls with mixed resolutions and screen orientations, providing flexible system design with minimal complexity and cost. Customizable output resolutions, output overlap, and mullion compensation provide compatibility with nearly any display technology. RS-232 and Ethernet interfaces provide direct connections for control systems.
Quantum Ultra utilizes a modular card-frame architecture that can be populated with input and output cards selected to match source and display requirements. Multiple card frames can be configured and operated as a single system to accommodate any size videowall. Quantum Ultra can accommodate a mixture of display devices with varying resolutions. Features such as output overlap, mullion compensation, output rotation, and custom output resolutions provide compatibility with current and future display devices.
An interesting future-ready feature is that the Extron HyperLane bus has a maximum throughput of 400 Gbps, sufficient to simultaneously carry more than twenty 4K/60 sources with 4:4:4 chroma sampling. It also possesses the bandwidth required to support evolving signal formats, such as 8K, and the higher resolutions, high dynamic range – HDR, greater color depth, and expanded color gamut these signals will provide.
Sources can be windowed and positioned anywhere on the video display. Static image files such as logos and maps can be stored locally on the Quantum Ultra, and displayed with full keying and alpha channel support. Internally generated clocks can be presented in a variety of time formats, in multiple time zones. The integrated VNC client can decode multiple simultaneous VNC server streams for presentation on the videowall. Custom color borders can be applied to any window, with support for rounded corners, drop shadows, flashing, and transparency.
Quantum Ultra was engineered for continuous operation in mission-critical environments. Redundant, hot swappable power supplies, dual IEC power connections, a write-protected, solid-state operating system drive, and secure communication protocols, ensure system redundancy, security, and stability.
Quantum Ultra setup and preset configuration are performed using Extron VCS – Videowall Configuration Software. System configuration is broken down into logical tasks, such as wall configuration, source setup, preset design, and EDID Minder for simplified integration. Online and offline editing allows creation and configuration of systems with or without an attached processor. Familiar editing controls streamline layering, aligning, and sizing of source windows. Live and Preview modes provide the option for immediate or controlled wall response to edits. With an intuitive workflow and familiar interface, VCS provides efficient configuration of any Extron 4K videowall processor.
This intuitive application simplifies configuration of even the largest and most complex systems. Settings and preset changes within the software are automatically synchronized and stored on the videowall processor, facilitating direct RS232 or Ethernet connection of remote control systems to the Quantum Ultra card frame.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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HDMI Releases Alternate Mode for USB Type-C Connector Enabling 4K HDMI Signals with No Adapters HDMI Licensing, LLC today announced that it is releasing the HDMI Alternate Mode (“Alt Mode”) developed by the HDMI Founders for the USB Type-C Specification. This will allow HDMI-enabled source devices to utilize a USB Type-C connector to directly connect to HDMI-enabled displays, and deliver native HDMI signals over a simple cable without the need for cumbersome protocol and connector adapters or dongles.
This enables two of the most popular solutions for connectivity to come together — the small form factor, reversible, and multi-purpose USB Type-C connector being adopted by smartphones, tablets and PC products, and HDMI, which is the leading display interface with an installed base of billions of displays. Almost 290 million HDMI-enabled display devices are expected to ship in 2016, including projectors, monitors and 100 percent of flat panel TVs.
HDMI Alt Mode will support the full range of HDMI 1.4b features such as: resolutions up to 4K, Audio Return Channel (ARC), 3D, HDMI Ethernet Channel, and Consumer Electronic Control (CEC). The HDMI cable will utilize the USB Type-C connector on the source side and any HDMI connector on the display side. Unlike the other Alt Mode display technologies which require various adapters or dongles to connect to HDMI displays, HDMI Alt Mode enables an easy connection via a simple USB Type-C to HDMI cable.
The HDMI 1.4b Alt-Mode on USB Type-C Specification is available to all HDMI Adopters here.
For more information on the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), or the USB Type-C specification, go here. Leave a Comment
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Atlona Intros 4K AV Extender with HDRAtlona is introducing the Centum Series AT-CENT-301-CEA, a 4K AV extender with HDR (high dynamic range)that delivers 4K/UHD video @ 60 Hz (or 60FPS) with 4:4:4 chroma sampling and HDMI data rates up to 18 Gbps up to 330 feet.
The AT-CENT-301-CEA is HDCP 2.2 compliant and provides HDMI transmission up to 330 feet (100 meters) over category cable with embedded multi-channel audio. HDR and 4K/60 4:4:4 video extension are made possible through the use of VESA Display Stream Compression (DSC). This extender also supports Ethernet pass-through, RS232 and IR control and Power over Ethernet — the receiver is powered by the extender. EDID management features ensure proper audio formats and video resolutions are provided to the AV system.
The extender pair also supports the HDMI Audio Return Channel, with the ability to transmit digital audio from a television back to the transmitter, and then to an AV receiver via HDMI or a TOSLINK digital audio output. This allows easy integration of audio from over-the-air TV broadcasts and smart TV apps.
The AT-CENT-301-CEA is configured and managed by the company’s Atlona Management System (AMS) and will be available March 2017 for $1,499.99. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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New Crestron DM Finally Supports Dante Audio Networking Crestron announced today that DigitalMedia now supports the Dante audio networking protocol with its new input and output blades for 64×64 and 128×128 DM matrix switchers. Now shipping, the 4K HDMI (4:2:0) and Dante Input Blade for DM Switchers (DMB-4K-I-HD-DNT) provides eight HDMI inputs, while the 4K HDMI and Dante Output Blade for DM Switchers (DMB-4K-O-HD-DNT) provides eight HDMI outputs with built-in 4K scaling. CEC embedded device control is possible with the addition of a control system.
Dante is the preferred industry networking protocol for transmitting HD audio over Ethernet, adopted by more pro audio AV manufacturers than any other networking technology.
A common application is for use with video conference systems. Send content from a source, a laptop for example, and connect it to the HDMI port of the DMB-4K-I-HD-DNT; internal processing extracts the HD audio and outputs as Dante over Ethernet through the LAN port on the DM CPU blade. The audio is then sent to a local DSP in a conference room, which mixes the program audio with the microphones. The mixed audio is then sent out to a codec.
Analog audio inputs and outputs are enabled by connecting the optional Analog Audio Breakout Box (AUD-BOB-1602) to the Dante blades in the DM switcher.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Extron Adds End-to-End 4K Twisted Pair to XTP Systems Extron has announced the expansion of the XTP Systems family with several new extender and I/O board models designed specifically to support video resolutions up to 4K. Each model is HDCP 2.2 compliant, and supports HDMI specification features that include data rates up to 10.2 Gbps, Deep Color up to 12-bit, 3D, and HD lossless audio formats. Common features across the line include signal extension up to 330 feet (100 meters) over one shielded CATx cable, bidirectional RS232 and IR for AV device control, Ethernet extension, remote power capability over CATx cable, and easy setup and commissioning with Extron XTP System Configuration Software.
The new XTP transmitters and receivers deliver convenient signal extension from the rack, wall, floor, or lectern. The XTP T FB 202 4K is compatible with floor boxes from OBO Bettermann, MK by Honeywell, Electraplan and PUK. Transmitters with multiple inputs, such as the XTP T USW 103 4K with connectors for HDMI, DisplayPort and VGA sources, feature automatic switching between inputs with selectable prioritization for operation in unmanaged locations. Each extender supports embedded digital audio, and most transmitters offer audio embedding as well.
The new receivers also provide a variety of capabilities for streamlined operation and integration. The XTP SR HD 4Kscaling receiver incorporates Extron Vector 4K scaling technology for uncompromised image quality, and the HDMI output connector on the XTP R HWP 201 4K Decora-style wallplate receiver is oriented upward at a 90° angle for easy installation behind a flat panel display. The rack-mountable receivers include audio de-embedding to digital S/PDIF or analog stereo audio outputs along with relays for room control. All receivers and most transmitters provide Ethernet extension and insertion of bidirectional RS232 and IR, allowing LAN access and AV device control at remote locations.
The Extron XTP CP 4K Input and Output Boards enable extension of video, audio, bidirectional control and Ethernet over a shielded CATx cable. These XTP I/O boards are also HDCP 2.2 compliant, and support video signals at resolutions up to 4K. For further flexibility, embedded digital audio signals can be routed independently for external systems. Ethernet extension along with RS232 and IR insertion provide LAN access and remote AV device control. Signals can be sent up to 330 feet (100 meters). Available in four-input and four-output models, each twisted pair port can supply remote power to a connected XTP endpoint.
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PureLink Adds New Modular Fiber Extenders to HDTools PureLink introduces the HOF1 Tx/Rx and OLC III Tx/Rx One-Fiber Extension Systems for HDMI and DVI to its line of HDTools long-range extension solutions. Both models feature modular/detachable transmitter and receiver pairs that claim to simplify integration.
The HOF1 Tx/Rx provides extension of Ultra HD/4K HDMI, embedded audio, RS232 and bi-directional IR to distances up to 1,000 meters, all over a single-strand multi-mode fiber optic cable.
The OLC III Tx/Rx extends DVI content up to 300 meters using multi-mode fiber optic cabling to deliver HD video signals, EDID data, and HDCP over fiber in what they claims is real time.
With lower attenuation than copper cables, fiber is becoming a choice for long runs and high data rates. Fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference, providing optimal signal transmission and is readily used in government or corporate applications where data security is crucial or required.
Both the HOF1 Tx/Rx and OLC III Tx/Rx extension systems can be combined with PureLink’s TotalWire two-strand or four-strand LC-terminated fiber optic cables to maintain signal transport and optimal picture quality.
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Matrox Adds More H.264 4:2:2 10 Bit Codec Cards Matrox Video today unveiled two new additions to the M264 family of developer products, the M264 S2 and the M264 S3. With the capability for up to three channels of 4K XAVC encoding/decoding in a single slot card, the M264 family now enables OEMs to provide multi-channel 4K production servers on a PC platform.
The 3/4 length PCI Express Gen3 x16 Matrox M264 S2 and S3 provide an H.264 quality encode/decode up to three streams of 4Kp60 at 4:2:2 10-bit, 30 streams of HD long GOP at 4:2:2 10-bit or 48 streams of HD at 4:2:0 8-bit. .
With onboard multi-channel, motion-adaptive deinterlacing, and up/down/cross scaling, the M264 family can repurpose content into any resolution before encoding or after decoding, particularly beneficial for OTT workflows. Specifically designed for high-density encoding/decoding (Baseline Profile to High 10 Intra Profile up to Level 5.2), M264 cards provide the highest possible quality at the lowest power per stream (<1.5 W per HD stream).
Matrox M264 S2 and S3 will ship next month. Here are all the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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BrightSign Announces New Tagging Capabilities within BrightSign Network BrightSign today unveiled new tagging capabilities for BrightSign Network – the company’s cloud-based digital signage network management service. These tagging features will be especially useful for customers with expansive digital signage networks, and also for marketing firms that manage digital signage networks for many customers. These new functionalities are available now as part of the latest BrightSign Network v4.3.
BrightSign Network is an affordable, secure, PCI-compliant service that delivers the complete infrastructure to serve, manage and support a customer’s digital signage network, freeing them from the complexities of hosting and maintaining the network on their own. BrightSign Network is user-accessible via BrightAuthor, a free PC software application, and the BrightSign Network Web UI, accessible from any browser.
The new tagging feature set available on BrightSign Network v4.3 includes the following functionalities:
- Media Tagging: tag video, image or audio files with unique designations such as holidays, individual departments within a large facility, or sales pertaining to a specific day of the week.
- Tagged Playlists: build a playlist using tag rules to add content based on media tags.
- Player Tagging: use a “match player tags” setting to achieve a secondary level of content filtering for highly targeted content delivery to specified groups of players.
- Matching Tags: the ability to match media and player tags to enable playback of a subset of content from a single tagged playlist.
Until now, tagging as described above required custom development work. With BrightSign Network v4.3, these new tagging capabilities are easy to implement and maintain, bringing powerful content management capabilities to digital signage networks. For more information about BrightSign Network, go here. For more information about BrightSign’s complete portfolio of digital signage solutions, go here. Leave a Comment
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Matrox Ships C900 Graphics Card, a Single-Slot, Nine-Output Graphics Card Matrox Graphics today announced that the Matrox C900, a single-slot, nine-output graphics card, is now available.
The Matrox C900 is a single-slot, PCI Express x16 graphics card that drives nine displays at resolutions of up to 1920×1200@60Hz per output. Designed to power 3×3 or 9×1 video walls, C900 delivers one ultra-large desktop across all attached displays, ideal for digital signage, presentation, and video wall applications.
A special-purpose card designed to power 3×3 or 9×1 video walls, two Matrox C900 cards can be combined to create 6×3 or 3×6 video walls from one system, with the board-to-board framelock feature ensuring all displays are synchronized to reduce tearing. The C900, with its high reliability, outstanding performance, and low-power consumption delivers a cost-effective video wall solution for enterprise, industrial, pro A/V, digital signage, security, control rooms and more.
Matrox C900 is a PCI Express 3.0 x16 graphics card with 4GB of memory that supports nine displays at a maximum resolution of 1920×1200 per display or a total desktop resolution of 5760×3600 in a 3×3 display configuration. More displays can be supported by pairing two C900 cards in a system to power an 18-screen video wall. The board-to-board framelock feature ensures synchronization of all displays. C900 features nine mini-HDMI connectors, supports digital audio through HDMI, and is DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.4 compliant.
Compatible with the Matrox Mura IPX Series 4K capture and IP encode and decode cards, the C900 is also supported by Matrox MuraControl video wall management software for Windows and iPad, allowing users to create, save and edit video wall layouts offline or in real time so their content appears exactly where and how they want it.
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NEC Display Adds Two Video Wall Displays NEC Display today added two video wall displays, the MultiSync UN551S and MultiSync UN551VS, to its line-up of video wall solutions. The new 55-inch models feature the latest developments in reliability, homogeneous image playback and ease of installation.
The UN551S and UN551VS both feature a flat panel surface from edge to edge, enabling cohesive multi-screen alignment, and delivering a digital canvas without protruding borders. This allows for an extremely homogeneous image across the multiple screens, offering an unhindered viewing experience with very minimal image interruption of just 0.9mm per screen.
The two display models use S-IPS panel technology, which provides great picture quality and excellent colour reproduction in both landscape and portrait orientation, as well as at extreme viewing angles. The UN551VS features a display brightness of 500 cd/m² and is designed for controllable ambient light situations. The higher brightness level of 700 cd/m² featured in the UN551S serves the majority of applications where ambient light is high.
Other benefits of NEC’s new MultiSync UN551S and MultiSync UN551VS include:
- Ease of installation – easy setup and upgrade of the video wall solution using the fully integratable high-performance OPS Slot-in-PC, without the need for external cables or devices
- Reliable 24/7 performance – approved for 24/7 applications, the UN551S and UN551VS both deliver the highest operational security, providing continuous operation for mission critical applications
- Easy maintenance and operation – offering full remote monitoring to enable to continuously carry out preventive maintenance. With NaViSet Administrator 2, all connected display devices can be managed from a centralized location.
All the specs on the UN551S are here and the UN551VS is here. Leave a Comment
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Eiki Debuts the EK-600U and EK-601W DLP Conference Series Projectors Eiki just launches the EK-600U and EK-601W Conference Series Projectors with support for HDBaseT, HDMI and DisplayPort. Both models provide two HDMI ports.
The Eiki EK-600U is spec’d at 6,000 ANSI lumens brightness with 85 percent uniformity and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. It offers horizontal, vertical and corner keystone correction and its native resolution is WUXGA (1920×1200). The EK-600U’s specs include:
- Zoom Max: Min: 1.8:1
- Throw: Width 1.20-2.16:1
- Lens shift vertical is +100~120 percent (Manual)
- Len shift Horizontal: +/-10 percent (Manual)
The EK-601W projector is 5,500 ANSI lumens brightness with 80 percent uniformity and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Like the EK-600U, the EK-601W provides horizontal, vertical and corner keystone correction for superior image control. The projector’s native resolution is WXGA (1366×768). The projector’s estimated lamp life is 7,000 in eco mode or 4,000 hours in normal mode. Other EK-601W specs include:
- Zoom Max: Min: 1.8:1
- Throw: Width 1.20-2.16:1
- Lens Shift Vertical is +100~120 percent (Manual)
- Lens Shift Horizontal : +/-10 percent (Manual)
List price for the EK-600U is $4,195 and the EK-601W is $2,795. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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BenQ’s New Business Projector Offers Native 1080p, 4.5K LumensThe BenQ MH750 Colorific projector is a native HD (1920x1080p) resolution box with a 4,500 ANSI lumen and 10,000:1 high contrast ratio spec. It includes two HDMI inputs as well as MHL connectivity and built-in QCast for near-field communications (NFC) wireless streaming of content and LAN control.
BenQ’s SmartEco technology claims an energy savings of up to 70 percent and their “Eco Blank” mode allows users to blank out the screen whenever projection isn’t needed, while a “No Source Detected” mode automatically reduces power consumption to 30 percent when no source has been detected for more than three minutes. With the “Auto Power Off” function, the projectors automatically shut down when not in use for 30 minutes. When inactive, they keep power consumption to a minimum, <0.5-W standby power, for even more energy savings.
The MH750 projector lists for $1,399. More information is here. Leave a Comment
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Eiki’s New EK-300 Series is Aimed at Meeting Rooms Eiki International just debuted the EK-300 Meeting Room Series Projectors — all three models are 3LCD and include their new flagship EK-300U with 5,000 ANSI lumens (at WUXGA resolution) the EK-301W with 5,100 ANSI lumens (WXGA resolution) and the EK-302X with 5,600 ANSI lumens (XGA resolution).
Common to all three models in the EK-300 Series is their 8,000:1 contrast ratio and lens-shift capabilities, with manual adjustments of up to 45 percent vertical and 10 percent horizontal, as well as corner keystone correction. Inputs include VGA and HDMI as well as MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) and the the line includes a 1.29-2.11:1 throw to width manual zoom and focus lens.
Eiki’s new EK-300 Meeting Room Series Projectors are slated for Q4 2016 and list for:
- EK-300U: $3,395
- EK-301W: $2,195
- EK-302X: $2,095
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Russound Debuts 70-Volt Streaming Audio AmplifierThe first Russound 70v model to be announced, XZone70V Streaming Audio Amplifier, is a digital media streaming audio source that incorporates the company’s XStream technology to enable streaming audio content from the cloud, a local network, AirPlay-enabled devices, all from a single component. The 70v/100v amplifier uses advanced circuitry to provide up to 300 watts of power in a single 1U chassis.
Similar to its residential counterpart, the XZone70V’s built-in audio streamer offers the most popular services, but with a focus on commercial installations. Included in the system is SiriusXM for Business, providing installers with a simple, cost-effective option for streaming legally licensed music at any business. Also included are such stalwart, popular services as vTuner, Pandora, Spotify and TuneIn.
One of the more interesting features for commercial installations is an integrated microphone input that automatically senses a signal and pauses the audio stream for paging through the system. Condenser mic support is easily accessed with a sliding switch on the rear panel, in addition to a Mic Gain control for easy adjustment of the audio level, and a front panel Mic Volume Level that gives users access to increase Mic Volume as the environment dictates.
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Parasound Debuts New Zpre3 Half-Rack Width Stereo Preamp Parasound has introduced the Zpre3, its third generation stereo preamplifier for custom installation, in its Z-Custom half-rack-width product line. The compact Parasound Zpre3 is a five-source stereo preamplifier designed to deliver to sound like a big one. It will be useful to professional custom installers, with a unique feature set that includes discrete IR remote commands, a rear panel IR input, 12V trigger output and two-way RS232 with direct volume control in 1dB increments. Automatic RS232 feedback allows for easy integration with keypads or touch-screen control systems such as Crestron, AMX, Control4, Savant and Elan.
Additional features include turn-on volume level select plus the choice of a favorite volume memory, making it easy for the user to jump directly to his/her most common listening level. A separate bypass input integrates with audio sources that have their own volume controls, such as AV receivers and streaming devices like the Sonos Connect. The bypass input is automatically selected when the Zpre3 is powered off, allowing users to operate their streaming devices without the need to turn the Zpre3 on first.
The Parasound Zpre3 has four line level audio inputs, a bypass input and a 3.5mm front panel auxiliary input. It offers separate fixed and variable level stereo outputs, plus separate fixed and variable mono outputs for subwoofers and architectural speakers. Each of the inputs on the front panel display can be conveniently renamed from a list of words the user can select rather than having to enter one character at a time. A single knob adjusts volume, selects sources, and adjusts bass, treble and balance. The remote control has buttons for the above selections plus recall of a favorite volume memory and dimming the front panel display.
The Parasound Z-Custom Zpre3 will be available in September, will list for $449. Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Juice Goose Intros Multiple Circuit Power Distribution with RS232 and IP ControlThe new iP PD1-4 from Juice Goose has four 20-amp circuits for a total current capacity of 80 amps and each circuit is individually addressable via a browser connection to an on board web server. Remote access is also possible via RS232, UDP or TCP using text commands over Ethernet. Current load can be monitored for each of the four circuits.
The four foot wire harness includes a separate hot and neutral leg for each circuit plus a shared common ground line. The side mounting brackets have long openings. Mounting flexibility is increased further as the brackets can be relocated in various positions up and down the back of the chassis. The iP PD1-4 lists for $861. Here is more information. Leave a Comment
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SI Debuts Floating Screen at CEDIA — Aims it at Both Residential and Commercial Installs Screen Innovations (SI) has announced something they are calling Zero-G, a motorized projection screen that, when deployed, SI claims it literally appears to be floating in midair and rolls out of the way when not in use.
Zero-G was created to allow you to watch a movie on an image that “levitates” in your space on cables that can be color-matched to their surroundings using their proprietary “color matching system” in order to be as un-obtrusive as possible.
SI has included features that makes Zero-G a simple product to install and setup. Removable PCB, upper lift tubes, and factory pre-programmed bomb-bay doors on its flush model, are just a few of these features. SI has also engineered an automatic upper limit setting by using an optical sensor, and will also optionally ship the material tube separate from the case for new construction installations.
Zero-G supports up to a maximum of 160-inches diagonally in 16:9 aspect ratio and is aimed at both HomeAV and ProAV installs.
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Magewell Adds 4K Video Capture Card to Lineup Nanjing Magewell Electronics announced today the addition of two new models to the company’s 4K video capture cards. The new Pro Capture HDMI 4K and Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus complement the previously-announced Pro Capture AIO 4K Plus card, with all three models now available to customers and OEM partners.
Magewell’s real-time, 4K video capture cards bring 4K-resolution video acquisition to markets and applications including broadcast, surveillance, medical imaging, gaming, video wall design, motion picture production and more. The Pro Capture AIO 4K Plus features both HDMI and SDI inputs with embedded audio support, capturing 2160p60 Ultra HD video over its HDMI 2.0 interface and 2160p30 via 6 Gbps SDI.
The two newest cards deliver similar capabilities for HDMI-only input applications. The Pro Capture HDMI 4K supports 2160p30 over an HDMI 1.4 interface, while the Pro Capture HDMI 4K Plus captures 2160p60 via HDMI 2.0 connectivity.
All three cards feature a PCIe 2.0 high-speed interface and support resolutions all the way up to the 4096×2160 4K digital cinema and production standard, including 3840×2160 4K Ultra HD. As with all Magewell Pro Capture cards, each video source can be output as multiple streams to separate applications simultaneously, enabling concurrent live broadcast, recording and preview. Resolution, frame rate and video processing can be controlled independently for each stream.
Built-in, hardware-based, 10-bit video processing delivers high-quality de-interlacing, up/down conversion, video enhancements, color space conversion, graphic overlay and more without requiring CPU usage, thus maximizing CPU availability for third-party software — particularly beneficial because of the quadrupled processing requirements of 4K video compared to HD formats. The cards also feature advanced bit depth (8/10/12-bit) and color space (4:2:0/4:2:2/4:4:4) capabilities, supporting 4K Ultra HD standards.
Multiple 4K Pro Capture cards can be used simultaneously in the same system, increasing multi-channel capture density. Magewell’s universal Pro Capture drivers offer broad 4K capture compatibility with popular encoding, streaming, live production, collaboration, video conferencing and virtual reality (VR) creation software running on Windows and Linux operating systems, with Mac support for the 4K cards to follow soon.
You can see all three of them here. Leave a Comment
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Epiphany Debuts Pearl-2 Epiphany Video announces the launch of Pearl-2, their next generation an all-in-one live video encoder. Pearl-2 brings live 4K video encoding and streaming to the impressive list of features it inherits from its predecessor, Pearl. Along with 4K support, Pearl-2 adds significantly more processing power, giving it the ability to handle up to six simultaneous 1080p video signals at 30 frames per second.
Pearl-2, like its namesake, captures, streams and records multiple video sources simultaneously. The company says that many of Pearl-2’s hardware upgrades, including USB 3.0, XLR audio inputs, 12-G SDI inputs and 4K HDMI output ports are the direct result of customer feature requests.
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Videon Partners with Intel for Video Streaming Products Videon’s Greylock HD H.264 Encoder/Decoder is a high performance encoder/decoder that supports both HDMI and SDI inputs. Based on the Intel Atom CE5300 Dual Core media processor, it’s designed to convert their camera’s HDMI or SDI data into an encoded stream that can be sent online.
Greylock supports resolutions up to 1080p60 and claims to offer push-button streaming and multiple streaming formats (including unicast, multicast and RTMP). Greylock’s encoder is aimed at education, digital signage, live events, houses of worship and broadcast applications.
The input resolutions supported include both 720 and 1080 and output can be anything from 480 to 1080. Bit rate is 1 Mbps to 20 Mbps and encode latency is spec’d at 250ms. Inputs are HDMI, SDI, USB and it works on standard Ethernet networks.
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Yamaha Expands TF Series Digital Mixer Lineup with Rack-Mount Format for Installs and Rentals Yamaha today introduced TF-RACK, a compact rack-mount version of the company’s TF Series digital mixing consoles. TF-RACK offers all of the features found in TF Series desktop models released in 2015, and is intended for smaller or more portable venues, particularly when a proper mix position may not be available.
TF-RACK is in a 3U rack space and is aimed at smaller live music venues, a portable house of worship or in a meeting hall. The rack-mount edition carries the same core engine – Steinberg Nuendo Live recording software, apps for mixing and expansion capabilities – as each of the other models.
In addition, the TF Series rack-mount mixer will ship with firmware version 3.0 that adds full fader views on its touch screen, the ability to add an administrator password, and many other enhancements. Yamaha has also partnered with Ultimate Ears, a premier supplier of in-ear monitoring products to create presets for the TF Series to provide stunning sonic clarity for the performer.
Like its desktop counterparts, TF-RACK is compatible with TF StageMix for wireless Wi-Fi remote mixing via iPad, and the MonitorMix app for aux send mixing via most smartphones or tablet PCs. Since it is not Wi-Fi dependent, TF-RACK sets a new standard for reliability in mixing, allowing it to maintain its full functionality even if the network goes offline. Users can simply continue mixing on the touch screen or opt to use it as their primary control surface as they wish.
TF-RACK includes:
- 16+1 stereo inputs, 16 outputs
- 1-knob COMP and 1-knob EQ for fast, easy control over your sound
- GainFinder input setup for optimum gain structure
- QuickPro Presets optimized microphone, music and output presets that include popular model choices from Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, Shure and Ultimate Ears
- Instant loading single step scene recall
- Expansion capabilities of up to two stage boxes, as needed
- TouchFlow Operation for easy, efficient control combining Select Channel and Cetralogic interfaces with the touch screen functionality
- A comprehensive range of I/O connections directly on the rear panel
- An optional NY64-D Dante I/O card and Tio1608-D I/O rack
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: We run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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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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