Volume 14, Issue 5.1 — March 3, 2016
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Industry News Displays Projection Unified Collaborative Conferencing Audio Control & Signal Processing
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AV People: Mike Blackman of Integrated Systems Europe
By Molly Stillman rAVe Contributor
It’s quite possible that Mike Blackman is one of the most interesting men on the planet. His name is synonymous with the Integrated Systems Europe expo in Amsterdam, but many people in the AV industry around the world don’t know all the history that led Mike to where he is today.
Originally born in Guyana in South America, Mike was born British, and his family moved to the United Kingdom when he was only six years old. Like any young child, Mike’s dreams of “what he wanted to be when he grew up” ranged from a police officer to a teacher.
“I was always good with math and economics,” Mike said. “So, as I grew older, I started thinking about what kind of career could I do with that. I got into accounting and got a place at university where they recommended that I do an internship. Whilst doing that, I spent six months with a company in the accounts department doing corporate finance, projects, statistics, projections — all interesting work. However, I then spent a few months in the general accounts department and quickly got bored. So I thought to myself, do I want to spend the next four years studying to do this?”
The answer was no. Mike decided to not go to university and found a job at the Financial Times since they were looking for someone in the advertising department. It was there that Mike realized that marketing and sales were his forte. Mike then began to study international, industrial, and consumer advertising and marketing.
Along the way, Mike also realized he was good at selling and got a rush from getting the “big contract.”
This led Mike to a position at Personal Computer World Magazine.
“This was in the early days of computing,” explained Mike. “The games industry was very rudimentary and small and I saw the transition in technology. A lot corporate guys were moving in and taking over these smaller gaming companies and shaping them up.
“There was a show founded by Felix Dennis called the Personal Computer World Show,” he continued. “Felix took the magazine and realized he needed to take the next step started the exhibition with Montgomery’s in London. They then head-hunted me to come over and be involved in the PCW show. What started as a show with 30,000 attendees turned into the largest computer show in the UK with 130,000 attendees. It was through that that I realized exhibitions were what I really enjoyed.”
From that experience, Mike became more and more involved with other shows and exhibitions around the world, including everything from shows with the International Data Group to the MacWorld Expo in Europe to WindowsWorld, where he met Bill Gates.
After much of this experience, Mike left and decided to start his own consulting company.
“I started off just doing technology [events] ,” said Mike. “My hobby was motorbikes and whilst in San Francisco at MacWorld Expo I had stopped off in the local Harley Davidson dealer there and was speaking with the sales director there and he said, ‘Hey Mike, you do expos, right? You should do something for Harley in Europe.’”
That got Mike thinking. When he returned to Germany, he got on the phone with Harley, which got the ball rolling. Eventually there were events all over Europe. He then picked up BMW as a customer for the launch of the new Mini Cooper. This gave Mike the confidence and diverse client base he needed to really grow his business.
However, Mike was used to being the person who made things happen, so when he became a consultant, he began to miss the organization part. It wasn’t too long after that that Mike was approached by InfoComm to launch and manage an expo in Europe.
He met with Randy Lemke and the team at InfoComm in 2003, and by April of 2003, Mike was officially on board and the Integrated Systems Europe Expo in Europe was born.
What started as just a small show in Geneva in January 2004 has grown to a show with over 1,100 exhibitors and 65,000 attendees.
“Every year we get more and more exhibitors,” said Mike. “This industry is growing and we are riding with it. We have to consider — are we mirrors or are we leaders [of the industry]? We are a reflection of where the industry is going and we keep tabs with what’s going on. We want to make sure we are covering the issues and the solutions.”
The fact is, Mike loves what he does and is so passionate about it. In fact, he even boasted that he’d continue doing this job even if he won the Powerball.
Outside of his work in the industry, Mike enjoys riding motorbikes (although he, admittedly, doesn’t ride as much as he used to), driving his Porsche 356 on sunny days, skiing, snowboarding and even skateboarding with the youngest of his sons.
He and his wife have five children (two from a previous relationship) ranging in age from 12 to 29. Last year, he had the opportunity to return to Guyana for the first time in 50 years.
“It was emotional to see my place of birth,” said Mike. “Meeting relatives, seeing the things that haven’t changed among the things that have changed. Seeing the house I grew up in. It was all very emotional.
“Facebook has been the best thing that’s ever happened as far as being able to reconnect with my family. I have hundreds of cousins around the world, some whom I have never met, and I’ve been able to ‘meet’ them through Facebook and connect with them. I have family in the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Guyana, etc. No matter where we go, I have a place to stay.”
Mike’s passion for travel has taught him a lot and he believes that the more people travel, the more they can learn about other nations and cultures and the process of breaking down prejudices can really take place.
Mike is also extremely passionate about education. He has seen firsthand what education has done for him in both his personal and his professional life. Education, Mike believes, can happen in many ways — through classes, workshops, formal testing and also just by having a conversation with and asking the right questions of someone else in your industry. He believes learning firsthand from someone else can be so rewarding.
It’s clear that Mike’s success, along with ISE’s success, are all a result of the passion, dedication and commitment to education that he possesses. Leave a Comment
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A Primer on Chroma Subsampling and What It Means In Practical Terms
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
This is not a switcher wars post. I have no interest in discussing the various claims made by one manufacturer or another, the counter claims, counter-counter claims or any other such back-and-forth between competitors. The issue to which some of the ongoing discussion about switching technology HAS brought more attention is that of chroma subsampling, and what it means in practical terms. What I’ve found reviewing one of these claims is not what I expected; I’d come to the point at which I accepted 4:2:2 as not only “good enough” but indistinguishable from 4:4:4 for any practical purposes. Recent demonstrations and exploration has shown that — depending on content and use case — I was not correct in this.
For those who aren’t clear on the topic, chroma subsampling is the practice of sampling the color of a video signal (chroma) at a lesser rate than the brightness (luminance). In the YCbCr color space, this is simply a matter of sampling the Y value at a lesser rate than the Cb and Cr (blue-difference and red-difference) components. The attached illustration shows how this affects an image, as you can clearly see, information is lost.
This has become a common practice in 4K video transmission to reduce bandwidth requirements; 4K video requires four times the bandwidth of 1920×1080 video, which was already near the technical limitations of current transport technology. In order to fit more pixels into the same bandwidth, the choices are to either reduce the frame rate, reduce the amount of data per pixel or both. See, for example, the “True4K” specification from Extron, listing the available resolutions, chroma subsampling and color depth for a matrix-switch input board. Note that in order to increase chroma subsampling, one must reduce the frame rate and vice-versa.
This has seemed like a reasonable tradeoff because of the human eye’s greater sensitivity to light than to color. The concept behind this choice is that the human eye and brain will fill in the “missing” chroma information far better than they would fill in missing luma. In fact, Blu-ray and DVD discs typically sample at 4:2:0. We’re accustom to this, and it seems to make little difference.
Did you notice the assumption in the above paragraphs? The human eye will fill in missing chroma information from one frame to the next. What if the image is static? Even worse, what if the image is static and consists of very narrow (as narrow as a single-pixel width) bands of color? This is a case in which the appropriateness of the solution is highly dependent on content.
One switch manufacturer has been passing around a demo with what we in our office are referring to as a “chroma torture image.” The image in question consists of a series of very narrow single-color borders, a polar array of single-pixel lines in various colors and a column of text. Their contention is that scalers that do not maintain 4:4:4 chroma subsampling will have weakness in displaying such an image. From the demonstrations I’ve seen, this certainly appears to be true. What’s more, some “regular” content not chosen as a chroma stress test (Excel spreadsheets are particularly bad for this) will show similar — albeit less dramatic — artifacts. Independent testing reveals that these effects are real.
So end of story. Right?
Maybe.
Repeating the test under varying conditions reveals interesting results. The artifacts, which were so disturbing in the case of upscaled 1920×1080 content, disappear completely when viewing 4K content. Clearly this particular product only has chroma subsampling issues in its scaler.
What does that mean?
Broadly, it means that not all devices handle all content identically. Scaled content is not the same as content viewed at its native resolution, nor is video content the same as static content. As is always the case, content matters.
It also highlights the fact that some pitfalls don’t appear in the published specifications. It highlights that even the very best products (and the products we are discussing are among the best) have weaknesses. It also highlights the risk of dismissing a piece of gear as “inferior” before considering one’s use case, including types of sources.
With 4K now a fact of life and 8K video possibly around the corner compromises between quality and bandwidth will remain a fact of life. As is the case with anything else, we need to know what we’re giving up, what we’re risking and what it means in each particular circumstance.
Again, this is not a switcher wars post. I see considerable value in the product offerings and ecosystems of several manufacturers. This is, as always, a call for mindfulness. Leave a Comment
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Diversified Acquires Technical Innovation, Creating the Second Largest Integrator in U.S.Diversified announced today the acquisition of Technical Innovation of Atlanta, Ga. Technical Innovation is a nationally recognized presentation technology, critical space and broadcast solutions. In addition, the geographic footprint and service offering of both organizations are significantly expanded.
The expanded company will offer an even broader spectrum of technology and media solutions backed by one of the largest design and consulting teams in the United States. The new organization will have over 800 employees in 22 offices across the U.S.
“I am extremely excited that our team is joining forces with Diversified. We believe in high-touch, high-accountability relationships with our clients. Over many years, this approach has earned their trust and loyalty. Joining the Diversified team allows us to continue to evolve with the most sophisticated and forward-thinking solutions driving businesses today,” said Mike Landrum, CEO, Technical Innovation. Landrum’s immediate role will be to integrate the Technical Innovation team members and offices into Diversified’s operations and will report to Fred D’Alessandro, CEO of Diversified and the combined companies.
“The merging of these two high quality organizations was born of thoughtful and careful planning. We have respected Technical Innovation for many years, and we know that the culture of our organizations complement each other. This acquisition enables Diversified to build and expand our technology and media centric services by leveraging their many years in business focused on command and control, audio-visual, broadcast and unified communication solutions,” said Fred D’Alessandro, CEO of Diversified.
D’Alessandro added, “This acquisition provides our collective client base with the resources and expertise required for new IT-centric solutions, of any complexity and scale across the globe.”
Here is Diversified. Here is Technical Innovation. Leave a Comment
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Renkus-Heinz Create 3D Modeling Files for RevitRenkus-Heinz has teamed with Autodesk to create new avenues for consultants and systems integrators to specify Renkus-Heinz products using Autodesk Revit software. Designers using Revit software will now quickly and easily access files for Renkus-Heinz Iconyx Gen5 and VARIAi loudspeakers using Autodesk Seek, a web service that enables designers to quickly discover, preview and download BIM files, models, drawings and product specifications for their active design sessions.
Autodesk Revit software helps architects and designers design buildings using a Building Information Modeling (BIM) process. Architects and designers can seamlessly integrate Renkus-Heinz technologies into their 3D models created with Revit software, allowing them to provide clients with a more complete picture of the end result.
Renkus-Heinz Iconyx and IC Live Gen5 and VARIAi information and design files are now fully integrated and available through Autodesk Seek, including 3D BIM models, visual images, data sheets and product specifications. Iconyx Gen5 represents the fifth generation of Iconyx digitally steered line array technology, integrating the power of UniBeam advanced beam steering algorithms with the intuitive control of our new RHAON II System Designer software to deliver a new standard in digitally steered arrays. VARIAi is the newest generation of Renkus-Heinz VARIA Modular Point Source Array. With a range of vertical and horizontal dispersion angles and Renkus-Heinz’s unique transitional waveguides, VARIA’s highly configurable enclosures make it easy to custom design a system for every application.
Renkus-Heinz Iconyx Gen5 and VARIAi files are available for download on Autodesk Seek here. And Renkus-Heinz is here. Leave a Comment
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Peerless-AV Announces Unique LED Wall Mounting SystemPeerless-AV today announced that it’s CLAIMING as the industry’s first Universal Modular LED Wall Mounting System. Featuring a pop-out mechanism that can be adapted to support various brands and display sizes, Peerless-AV’s LED Wall Mounting System is a modular design enabling custom installs for specific configurations.
Key features of the Universal Modular LED Wall Mounting System include a slim, space-saving design, a pop-out mechanism that extends the mount 30 inches from the wall (for service) and a universal design can be easily configured to support most LED brands and sizes by simply changing out display-specific adapter plates. A jacking screw feature allows the entire video wall to be plumb adjusted once all the LED displays are installed. Each mount has four-corner depth adjustment and a first row leveling function assures all the LED displays align for a seamless appearance.
It will officially debut at ISE and here are the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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SiliconCore Demos 0.95MM LED Display Technology at ISE 2016Common Cathode LED manufacturer SiliconCore will showcase its smallest LED pixel pitch display yet — a 0.95mm prototype. At ISE 2016, this technology demonstration will be held at booth 10-K110, from 9th — 12th February at the RAI in Amsterdam.
SiliconCore’s 0.95mm LED prototype is a fine pixel pitch display for extremely close proximity viewing. The display claims 2000 nits in brightness, 4K resolution and a 165″ diagonal image at less than one meter.
This advancement in pixel pitch, contrast ratio and brightness has been achieved due to SiliconCore’s Common Cathode driver architecture. The Common Cathode method reduces the heat output of displays for lower power consumption, a longer lifespan of over 100,000 hours and removes the need for additional cooling.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Barco Adds 19K Lumen Projector Aimed at Rental and StagingBarco has added a new projector to its HDX line that’s aimed at large venues and events with a 3-chip DLP, 19,000-lumen 4K resolution model. The HDX-4K20 FLEX shares its lens range, ease of use, and modularity with the other HDX models and includes Barco’s FLEX feature have been expanded to offer both flexible brightness and flexible resolution on the new HDX-4K20 FLEX model. Shipping in June 2016, the HDX-4K20 FLEX is the first HDX projector with 4K resolution that’s being introduced, followed by the HDX-4K12 and HDX-4K14 models later this year.
The HDX-4K20 FLEX is delivered with Barco’s flexible brightness feature, which allows users to tune and lock the brightness level for a specific application – from 10,000 to 19,000 lumens in incremental steps. To make this projector even more versatile, the FLEX feature has been expanded to include flexible resolution, allowing customers to choose and lock in WUXGA, WQXGA or 4K UHD resolution.
Equipped with 3-chip DLP technology, a single high-brightness Xenon lamp, and a high-contrast optical engine, the HDX-4K20 FLEX has an all-new single-step processing technology that handles all of the latest resolutions and offers advanced image warping and edge blending with zero additional latency. Input capability includes HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.2, HDBaseT and quad 6G HDSDI.
Barco’s HDX, HDF, and HDQ ranges are aimed at events and large venues and are considered rugged projectors in a modular design of only five building blocks makes them easy to service. Equipped with rental frames, the projectors can easily be stacked or rigged. And, just like the other members of the RLM, HDX, HDF, and FLM projector families, the HDX-4K20 FLEX uses the TLD lens suite, so there’s no need for rental companies to replace their existing lens fleet. The new TLD+ 0.8-1.16:1 lens offers extreme 120% vertical lens shift capability, just like all current TLD+ lenses.
Barco will debut the HDX-4K20 FLEX projector at the ISE trade show, RAI Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 9 – 12 February. You will find Barco at Hall 11, booth F100 or here. Leave a Comment
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Christie HS Series Is 12K Lumen 1DLP Laser Phosphor ProjectorChristie just introduced the brightest 1-chip 1DLP laser phosphor projector in the Christie HS Series. Featuring what they are calling ‘BoldColor Technology’ it has a color wheel that spins at 3x speed or normal 1-chip DLPs. The Christie D12HD-HS and Christie D12WU-HS, respectively, are HD (1080p) and WUXGA 1920×1200 resolution in a compact chassis.
Aimed at both installs and the rental staging market, the Christie HS Series is capable of 360-degree orientation and portrait mode with color matching and advanced blending, warping and stacking software built in. The Christie HS Series also offers a full (six) lens suite covering 0.84:1 up to 7.2:1, 3GSDI and DVI-D loop through connections so signals can be daisy chained without external boxes, and optional fog filters. It also has a bottom-side HDMI connection and rear input cover.
Here are all the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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InFocus Debuts ConX Collaboration Solution at ISE 2016InFocus unveiled its new video conferencing platform today at ISE 2016. InFocus ConX is a collaboration solution offering a customizable combination of products, software and services that allow businesses, schools and facilities to connect to anyone, virtually anywhere, and collaborate. The platform facilitates the large-scale connection of people and ideas, making multiple streams of information meaningful and actionable. ConX integrates advanced video and information-sharing technologies into one fully configurable and scalable solution for sharing ideas and working on solutions that spans mobile devices, office desktops, huddle rooms, board rooms, and video walls.
The ConX platform offers several enterprise-ready solutions, including the new ConX Wall and ConX Exec systems. Both are video conferencing solutions that feature multi-endpoint video conferencing and content sharing, configurable for a range of applications, from the executive office to the boardroom. Using multiple ultra-narrow-bezel HD displays, users can customize ConX solutions for any wall size ranging from a single display to a large videowall.
What sets ConX Wall and ConX Exec apart from a basic video wall is an integrated video conferencing multipoint control unit (MCU) server. The server enables users to instantly configure and change each input image to any number of the displays. This allows in-room participants to focus on whatever content they want at any given time, such as a data or video stream from a remote participant. This unique ability to create a user-defined layout and to have control from all kinds of devices makes ConX Wall and ConX Exec ideal for enterprise management, public services, education and training.
Like InFocus Canvas Touch, also announced today at ISE 2016, ConX combines the technology strengths of Jupiter Systems and Avistar, both recent InFocus acquisitions, to provide scalable, flexible and affordable solutions. The platform that can connect anyone across the globe, from a mobile device to a desktop video phone, computer, video wall, or another videoconferencing endpoint, such as the InFocus Mondopad.
Video collaboration with users across a broad range of devices is made possible by ConX Video Meeting, InFocus’ cloud-based meeting service. Users of ConX Wall and ConX Exec systems can connect with colleagues on their ConX Phone, Mondopad, PC, smartphone, tablet and third party SIP-compliant and H.323 systems. Callers on standard phones can dial in as audio-only participants.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Kramer Launches Kramer@Work at ISEKramer is introducing something called Kramer@Work at ISE 2016. Kramer@Work consists of packaged solutions from Kramer for any size meeting room from huddle spaces to large boardrooms but it’s all network-based.
With Kramer@Work users connect either wired or wireless using any laptop or mobile device and it’s designed to allow for document editing as well as display via a “main display” that can be turned into a whiteboard. Basically, it’s a Kramer VIA packaged with a K-Touch cloud-based control system.
You may know that Kramer’s VIA solutions include the VIA Collage, VIA Campus and VIA Connect PRO and all are wireless presentation and collaboration solutions. And, K-Touch is Kramer’s new approach to control and it’s built specifically for the Pro AV network-based control of lights, shades, screens and presentation control.
The system also includes an IP-based room scheduling software solution that lets participants find available rooms and book them from any device.
Kramer@Work comes with solutions for four different meeting room types:
- The Executive Board Room for high-end systems
- The Collaboration Room solution is for a BYOD meeting rooms where everything is wireless
- The Basic Meeting Room solution is for wired connectivity
- The Huddle Space solution is a BYOD system for small rooms
All of it can be found here. Leave a Comment
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Prysm Launches Prysm Enterprise for Scalable CollaborationPrysm today unveiled Prysm Enterprise, a hardware and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution which enables businesses and their employees to easily collaborate in-real time across every size screen — from mobile devices to custom large-scale video walls. With Prysm Enterprise, the newest offering in Prysm’s Visual Workplace portfolio, applications, content, video conferencing and the web are all combined into cloud-based visual workspaces where anyone can create, edit, share and store work, and then go back and re-access the saved workspaces later from any location via the cloud. Prysm also announced new SaaS pricing for the Enterprise offering, making it possible for companies to continue to expand this powerful collaboration footprint beyond connected meeting rooms, and across a broader mobile and remote workforce.
With Prysm’s Visual Workplace portfolio, enterprises can improve collaboration and employee engagement with a tech-savvy workplace that bridges the gap between in-office and remote workers. In addition, Prysm digitizes the collaboration process and pulls disparate tools together into one highly visual system. This leads to the creation of a rich palette for data visualization that speeds insights, ushering in an entirely new approach to collaboration. By leveraging this new Visual Workplace, enterprises can discover new insights that they would not otherwise have found.
Prysm Enterprise features added support for web browser-based access to the Prysm Application Suite via Prysm Mobile, which enables access via any mobile device and opens up greater collaboration throughout the enterprise, be it from a large 190″ auditorium video wall to a remote worker’s smartphone. Prysm Mobile is the only solution that permits simultaneous reviewers of content, where up to 25 users can share and edit information in real time.
The release also provides a completely integrated experience for Skype for Business, further adding to and simplifying the collaboration experience.
Prysm’s new Enterprise offering includes:
- Prysm Cloud: application server(s), dedicated or multi-tenant option
- Prysm Application Suite: Software that enables users to collaborate and store content in cloud-based workspaces
- Prysm Displays: with standard sizes of 65″, 85″, 98″, 117″ and 190″, as well as custom sizes to fit any size meeting room(s).
- Prysm Mobile: Web browser access for any mobile device including Apple iOS, Android, and Windows
- Services & support: One point of service and support contact and service supplier
- A new SaaS-based pricing model for the software
More details are here. Leave a Comment
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InFocus Introduces Canvas Touch as ISE 2016InFocus today announced Canvas Touch, developed to offer Canvas customers an all-in-one Canvas touchscreen display, Canvas Touch connects to other Canvas users on smartphones, tablet, PCs and video walls. Canvas Touch combines award-winning Canvas collaboration software developed by Jupiter Systems with touchscreen technology from InFocus to expand the use and ease of Canvas. Jupiter Systems was acquired by InFocus Corporation in October 2015 to create ground-breaking solutions in collaboration and communication. InFocus Canvas Touch will debut at the InFocus booth (A-252) at the Integrated Systems Conference (ISE) in Amsterdam, Feb. 9-12.
Canvas software creates a consolidated operating picture for enterprises by enabling the easy real-time sharing of live video, data, applications, web pages and whiteboards — on any device, from any location, for seamless collaboration. Canvas Touch extends this power by placing Canvas, along with its rich collaboration toolset, anywhere the enterprise needs it, conveniently housed in a display unit with on-board PC and operable by the touch of a finger. Using the same dynamic, bi-directional annotation, editing and data sharing power available in Canvas along with an HD capacitive touch display, users can share and collaborate in real-time from multiple locations, just as they would if they were working in the same room.
Canvas Touch displays up to six simultaneous sources from the Canvas environment, including H.264 streams, VNC viewer windows, web windows and SimpleShare windows, which enables wireless presentation of content from any laptop or desktop. Windows 10-based, Canvas Touch features an elegant, familiar interface with extended features. Standards compliant and network agnostic, remote users without a Canvas client can share video and audio connection from a SIP-based videoconference system. Microsoft Skype for Business is also supported.
Canvas Touch is available immediately in a 65-inch diagonal screen size. The product is available for purchase through select InFocus resellers; pricing dependent upon the model size and resolution options. For more information on InFocus’ other collaboration systems, go here. Leave a Comment
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JBL Professional By HARMAN Updates Control Contractor Series at ISE 2016 with New Control 23-1, Control 25-1 and Control 28-1JBL Professional by HARMAN today introduced the newly updated JBL Control 23-1, Control 25-1 and Control 28-1 commercial loudspeakers. This significant update to the series brings a compelling array of new features, styling and competitive pricing. The latest versions of the category-defining Control Contractor series feature a fresh and contemporary look, a flatter and wider frequency response for a more natural and full sound, greater bass extension, improved coverage for on- and off-axis sound and a higher maximum SPL.
The JBL Control Contractor models combine 70V/100V (“T”) and low-impedance (“non-T”) versions for greater job-site and inventory flexibility. Contractors and dealers will also appreciate the retention of the pioneering InvisiBall brackets as standard and the addition of U-brackets as an optional add-on. New outdoor features include an attractive redesigned grill with improved plating and finish, screw-down input terminals, and an optional WeatherMax aluminium grill with a toughened finish and optional MTC-PC3 watertight panel covers for wire side-exits in tight-to-wall applications.
Specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Auralex Unveils GeoFusor Sound DiffusorsAuralex Acoustics introduces the GeoFusor, a sound diffusor based on the geodesic dome pattern. The GeoFusor’s dimensional shape offers smooth, even diffusion and allows back filling with absorptive material for enhanced low-end control.
The GeoFusor is wall- and ceiling-mountable and is offered in two sizes (1′ x 1′ and 2′ x 2′). The 2′ x 2′ GeoFusor is sized to fit in ceiling grids and offered in fire-rated and non fire-rated variations. The GeoFusor’s contemporary aesthetic complements residential or commercial environments, and the complementary design of the 1′ x 1′ and 2′ x 2′ models permits arraying for acoustical and design purposes.
GeoFusor features:
- Addresses standing waves & flutter echo without removing acoustic energy
- 1’x1′ and 2’x2′ versions available
- Enhance the accuracy of a critical listening environment
GeoFusor specifications:
- GeoFusor 22 FR 2′ x 2′ x 4.5″ (23.75″ x 23.75″ x 4.5″)
- GeoFusor 22 2′ x 2′ x 4.5″ (23.75″ x 23.75″ x 4.5″)
- GeoFusor 11 1′ x 1′ x 2.25″ (11.75″ x 11.75″ x 2.25″)
- Fire Rating: *ASTM E48 Class A (GeoFusor 22 FR only)
For more information, go here. Leave a Comment
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Martin Audio Introduces CDD Weatherized Speakers at ISEMartin Audio has extended its award-winning CDD install series with the introduction of weatherized variants (CDD-WR). Announced at ISE 2016, the line extension will start to ship from early April.
The CDD Series features patent pending Coaxial Differential Dispersion technology which delivers improved coverage and consistency, with often the need for fewer speakers than those with traditional fixed dispersion X° x Y° horns. This leads to significant benefits across the installation value chain.
The recent announcement means that the CDD Series will now also be available in weather-resistant form. Like the majority of weatherized speakers on the market, CDD-WR loudspeakers are designed for outdoor operation where the system will be subject to changing environmental conditions, but sheltered from direct exposure to the elements. CDD-WR loudspeakers meet a rating of IP54, and are accompanied by a full range of weather-resistant mounting brackets.
The loudspeakers feature a weatherized water resistant grille made from zinc plated mild steel with a powder-coated finish. CDD5TX-WR and CDD6TX-WR feature a dual cable gland for easy daisy-chaining of cabinets without the need for external breakout boxes, and also feature a 100/70v line transformer. CDD8-WR through CDD15-WR feature a single cable gland on the input cover and CDD10-WR through CDD15-WR are also flyable with stainless steel fixings.
Similarly, the CSX-WR subwoofers in the series are suitable for outdoor under-canopy operation and have an IP24 rating. They feature a zinc plated mild steel grille with powder-coated finish, plywood cabinets with polyurea finish and are flyable with stainless steel fixings.
For more information, go here. Leave a Comment
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Community’s R SERIES Expands with Three New Models at ISE 2016Community’s R SERIES loudspeakers are designed for extreme weather conditions. Now, two new full-range R-MAX models and a high-output R-MAX bass horn offer higher output levels than previous versions. These new loudspeakers offer consistent coverage patterns, smooth frequency response, and very high output levels making them ideally suited for sporting venues, race tracks, outdoor theaters, themed entertainment and water parks and high-level voice warning systems.
All three models are fully horn loaded and utilize the higher performing transducers that are the hallmark of the R-MAX line. The new 50° x 20° (H x V) R2-52MAX features dual 12-inch neodymium LF transducers, dual high performance 2-inch exit MF drivers, and a high sensitivity 1-inch exit HF driver. Its maximum continuous output rating of 135 dB SPL (141 dB Peak) is the highest of any R2-MAX model.
The new R6-51MAX 50° x 10° (H x V) uses six 12-inch neodymium LF transducers, six high performance 2-inch exit MF drivers, and six high sensitivity 1-inch exit HF drivers to produce 144 dB (150 dB Peak) maximum continuous SPL over an operating range of 44Hz to 17.5kHz, projecting premium sound quality up to 40 percent further than the R6-51BIAMP. The new R6-BHMAX bass horn uses six high-power 12-inch LF transducers that provide extended LF response to supplement the R6-51MAX or other full-range R SERIES loudspeakers.
The R2-52MAX includes a powder-coated steel mounting bracket and all three R-MAX models are available with a variety of configure-to-order options, including custom color.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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HARMAN Pro Claims Lossless 4K Ultra HD Video Over Standard Ethernet at ISE 2016HARMAN Pro is using ISE 2016 in Amsterdam to launch the NMX-ENC-N2151 4K Encoder and NMX-DEC-N2251 4K Decoder that AMX says provides the same scalable solution as the rest of the AMX SVSI N2000 series but at resolutions up to 4096×2160. AMX says that JPEG 2000 compression allows Ultra HD media to be switched and distributed over standard gigabit Ethernet networks. Ultra HD signals from the NMX-ENC-N2151 encoder provided simultaneously as: 1) a JPEG 2000-compressed 200-600 Mbps stream through the RJ-45 connector and 2) an uncompressed stream through the small-form-pluggable (SFP+) connector compatible with fiber or copper. Any source can be sent to any number of displays by routing through layer-three switches. System scalability is limited only by uplink and stacking connector bandwidths but can accommodate up to 100 Ultra HD video sources at once.
Standard features, like input and output scaling, bi-directional serial, IR, embedded 7.1 audio and KVM-over-IP extension, are included. The NMX-ENC-N2151-C and NMX-DEC-N2251-C form-factors are compatible with the NMX-ACC-N9206 card cage for high-density applications.
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Community Sound Debuts I Series Outdoor SpeakersCommunity has expanded its flagship I SERIES Engineered Loudspeaker Systems with Weather-Resistant models of its I SERIES 800-Level and 600-Level loudspeakers.
In contrast to fiberglass-covered wood enclosures which entail long manufacturing lead times, I SERIES weather-resistant loudspeakers feature enclosures made with Community’s breakthrough PolyGlas technology. These Mil Spec 810G-tested PolyGlas cabinets reduce lead times considerably and are virtually immune to the destructive effects of moisture and temperature cycling.
I SERIES durable and attractive PolyGlas cabinets are constructed from a dense structural-grade composite embedded with dual layers of fiberglass cloth and are built for a lifetime of performance outdoors. Finished cabinets are heavily coated with exterior-grade grey paint and a UV-resistant top coat, while dual-layer powder-coated marine-grade aluminum grilles backed with NeverWet-treated acoustic fabric provide additional protection for the inherently weather-resistant drivers. In acoustic performance and physical appearance, the finished PolyGlas cabinets are nearly indistinguishable from traditional indoor loudspeaker systems with wood enclosures. Custom color options and color-matched stainless steel accessory U-Brackets are available for all Weather-Resistant I SERIES models.
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Crowd Mics Launches Product Aimed at AV IntegratorsThe smartphone-based mic system, Crowd Mics, has come up with an AV integrator version — so you can make money selling it.
How do you install hundreds of wireless mics in your room? You don’t! Let the audience bring the mics, you just install the Crowd Mics ATOM. The ATOM is a device dedicated to Crowd Mics audio. The fact that you plug the ATOM into the sound system instead of the moderators mobile device means they can now be anywhere in the room. With little or no network configuration, the ATOM bridges the gap between mobile devices and the PA system via the wired and wireless network.
The ATOM plugs into the wired network and receives Crowd Mics audio and the audio output plugs directly into the sound system. The moderator connects to the ATOM using a unique four-digit code and users can connect to a session via Bonjour discovery if available on the network. Users can also connect to the session with the four-digit code. Bonjour can remain disabled and wireless client isolation can remain enabled. The moderator can then control who speaks using the iPad app interface. The number of users you can connect is only dependent on the Wi-Fi network.
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JBL Redesigns Control Speaker SeriesJBL has all-new Control 23-1, Control 25-1 and Control 28-1 loudspeakers. The update to the series brings an array of new features, styling and more competitive pricing. The latest versions of the Control Contractor series feature a more contemporary look, a flatter and wider frequency response for a more natural and full sound, greater bass extension, improved coverage for on- and off-axis sound and a higher maximum SPL.
The JBL Control Contractor models combine 70V/100V (“T”) and low-impedance (“non-T”) versions for greater job-site and inventory flexibility. Contractors and dealers will also appreciate the retention of the pioneering InvisiBall brackets as standard and the addition of U-brackets as an optional add-on. New outdoor features include an attractive redesigned grill with improved plating and finish, screw-down input terminals and an optional WeatherMax aluminium grill with a toughened finish and optional MTC-PC3 watertight panel covers for wire side-exits in tight-to-wall applications.
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AudioControl Adds Control To ‘The Director’ Series Network AmplifiersAudioControl has announced the availability of a suite of dedicated control drivers for their newly released matrix amplifier, the Director Model M6400. Now control drivers for AMX, Crestron, Control4, RTI and Savant allow integrators to control the key functions of The Director Model M6400 matrix-amplifier when they are used in conjunction with their respective control systems.
Functions of the drivers include:
- Discrete input selection – eight analog plus two digital with full matrixing to any output channels, amplified or digital buss
- Ability to increase and decrease volume levels incrementally in each zone plus muting
- Volume level adjustment on a per zone, per group, or per zone while in a group basis
- Recall equalization setting from memory locations
- Set a default “Maximum On Volume” function
- Program query commands to identify current known volume status of zones and alerts
- Dynamic Grouping
The Director Model M6400, part of AudioControl’s new Matrix M-Series, builds upon AudioControl’s ‘The Director’ DSP Series driving sixteen channels of high-power amplification in a 2U chassis that delivers over 65 watts per channel at 8 ohms, 100 watts per channel at 4 ohms and 175 watts at 8 ohm bridged, all channels driven. The M6400 features on-board digital signal processing, graphic and parametric equalization by zone, network monitoring, and programming plus the addition of volume control, channel/zone grouping and zone audio presets.
The new drivers are available on the AudioControl website here. Leave a Comment
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Atlona Expands 4K Switcher Line Featuring HDMI/HDBaseT InputsAtlona today expanded its commercial-market SW-5 Series of five-input 4K switchers with the AT-UHD-SW-5000ED. The new switcher includes two HDBaseT inputs and mirrored HDMI/HDBaseT outputs.
The SW-5000ED supports 4K/UHD@60 Hz, 4:2:0 video (10.2 Gbps) and transmits AV signals along with Ethernet, Power over Ethernet, and control over a single cable to displays up to 328 feet (100 meters) from the switcher. Built-in control options include auto-switching, front-panel buttons, and compatibility with IR, RS232 or TCP/IP-based control systems. The switcher also offers three HDMI inputs and audio de-embedding of digital audio from HDMI to two-channel, balanced analog audio.
The SW-5000ED is housed in a 1U, half-rack width enclosure and lists for $1,549.95. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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NEC Intros Two HDMI and HDBaseT Switchers at ISENEC Display today announced a new HDBaseT switcher, the NEC NP01SW1, that handles analog and digital video, audio, power, LAN and control over a single Ethernet cable. Using a push-button interface, it allows 3 HDMI sources, a microphone, LAN and USB A/B. Control features include on/off of the NEC projector or LCD and volume control of the display device without needing programming. Third party HDBaseT compliant receivers are also supported, so the NP01SW1 can be integrated into existing HDBaseT installations.
The, the NP01SW2 includes the NP01SW1 switch and a HDBaseT receiver module for an all-in-one solution, available for NEC devices that do not have an OPS (Open Pluggable Specification) option slot, built-in HDBaseT receiver. The NP01SW1 and NP01SW2 are the first products of this type to incorporate all of these technologies into one package.
Among the key features of the NP01SW1 and NP01SW2 media switches are:
- Three HDMI, USB A/B, LAN and microphone inputs
- Infrared window on the NP01SW1/NP01SW2, which enables easy control via the display devices’ remote control
- Wall-mounting bracket included, making installation simpler
- Pre-programmed for push-button control of NEC displays and projectors directly from the media switch
- Volume control of media and the microphone is included
- Compliance with HDBaseT devices and third-party receivers
The NP01SW1 and NP01SW2 will be available in February 2016 at a price of $699 and $849, respectively. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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AMX Debuts New NMX-WP-N3510 Windowing ProcessorAMX’s new SVSI NMX-WP-N3510 is an H.264 multi-channel windowing processor that works with the N3000 Series family of video over IP encoders and decoders. This rack-mount appliance accepts up to nine video streams as inputs from SVSI N3000 Series H.264 Encoders (or other third-party main- or high-profile H.264 streams) and outputs one windowed HD video stream for local viewing through an HDMI port or in streaming format to a remote hardware or software decoder.
The combined IP video stream transports H.264 compressed at various resolutions for media distribution on the existing network. Digital signage, TV and PC content can be delivered in any combination for viewing on a single large display or a video wall through SVSI N3000 Decoders.
With the SVSI NMX-WP-N3510 H.264 Multi-Channel Windowing Processor, image configuration can be adjusted dynamically through a web interface. Images can be cropped, scaled, and positioned according to the stored presets or in any user-defined configuration. The web interface allows the user to position and stretch windows through drag-and-drop/resize or directly setting values. Common tools like “Snap and Grid” are available to help align window edges. Borders, backgrounds, presets, text overlays, mode and input streams can also be manipulated. A variety of presets make it possible to change the image configuration on the fly allowing seamless switching between presets and seamless switching between video steams within a preset.
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Tally Adds TimeSync to TallyTec Pro SystemTally Technologies has added TimeSync to the TallyTec Pro system, enabling users to synchronize multiple cameras and external recorders, either wirelessly or wired, with timecode generated from the TallyTec Base Transmitter.
TimeSync is a huge time-saver for anyone involved with multi-cam recordings, from DSLRs and camcorders to high-end broadcast cameras. Many external field recorders, for example the Atomos Shogun and Convergent Design 7Q+, also feature timecode input as standard, making it a simple task to connect a TallyTec Pro Receiver.
The ability to provide timecode to cameras and external recorders, either wirelessly or wired, means a multi-cam shoot can be extremely flexible, mixing high-end professional cameras and HDMI cameras equipped with external recorders, in the certain knowledge that all material shot is in sync and ready for post-production.
The TallyTec Base Transmitter can be set to run Time of Day, or manually configured to Record Run. It sends out a signal to frame accurately synchronize all Wireless Pro Receivers attached to cameras or external recorders. Up to sixteen cameras/recorders can be synchronized with the TallyTec Base Transmitter.
The Transmitter and Receivers are synchronized every 25 frames; in the event that a Receiver loses signal from the Base Transmitter, it will continue to run clocked timecode to ensure that the attached device is always in sync. Once the signal is re-established, the Receiver will re-synchronize with the Base Transmitter timecode.
TallyTec’s Wireless Pro Receivers have a 2km line of sight range from the Base Transmitter, allowing camera operators to work some distance apart, yet still maintain fully synchronized recording. Batteries and media in camera and recording equipment can be swapped on the fly without losing sync, thanks to the long-life battery run time of the Pro Receiver.
Initially TimeSync will support PAL at 25fps. Support for 24fps, 29.9fps, 30fps and 50/60 frames will be provided through a future software update, along with the ability to sync to external timecode, or house reference.
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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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