Volume 16, Issue 3.1 — February 5, 2018
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Editorial Editorial Editorial
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Industry News Audio Unified Collaborative Conferencing Control & Signal Processing Media Players, Recording & Distribution Digital Signage Displays Cables, Cases, Furniture, Mounts, Racks, Screens & Accessories
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ISE 2018 Will Be the Biggest and Best AV Trade Show in History
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
If you’re not headed to Amsterdam next week for ISE, you should be. So, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make reservations to go next year. ISE has quietly and quickly become the most important AV trade show on this planet. I don’t know which show AV people on Mars go to, but on earth, nearly all of them are going to ISE.
How many? Well, this year, over 80,000 AV people will be there.
To put that in perspective, that’s nearly 35 percent of the total number of people in the AV industry. And, trust me, we know the numbers as they all subscribe to and read rAVe.
InfoComm is the most important AV trade show in North America. InfoComm China is the most important AV trade show in China. InfoComm India is India’s show. INTEGRATE hands-down, is the most important show for ANZ, InfoComm MEA is THE SHOW in the Middle East, TecnoMultimidia InfoComm in Brazil is South America’s AV fair and Integrated Systems Russia is a must-see for, well, Russia.
ISE is THE WORLD’s show.
And, over 25 percent of the attendees will NOT be from Europe. A few years ago, it was 5 percent. That’s like 21,000. That, in and of itself, would make a great trade show attendance number on its own! Just ask CEDIA — that’s what they get.
ISE — Integrated Systems Europe — is only 15 years old and, thanks to the leadership Mike Blackman through InfoComm and CEDIA, it has become the place that more AV manufacturers launch new products than anywhere else. And, this year, of the 100+ companies I personally spoke to leading up to the show, all of nearly all of them have chosen to launch new products at ISE instead (yes, instead) of at any other show in the world. That’s a huge shift in strategy for the AV market.
The impact of that can’t be overstated. The industry has shifted from typically summer-launch to a February-launch of new products.
Some of that is pure luck. For example, the timing is better as CES just happened and many of the big companies in AV have big-sister consumer divisions that launch residential-version of their gear and the same production lines (or, in most cases now, the same products) are re-launched in their chimerical form at ISE a month later. But, some of it is pure sales strategy — May and June launches occur right before everyone goes on vacation and as they say, “out of sight, out of mind,” has hit the marketing departments of many companies on the side of their head line a ton of bricks. So, they’ve changed their strategy to take advantage of the sales lead times to launch in February and ship in the summer. And, this was truly a calculated strategy. You can’t just decide this, a company has to plan this shift well in advance. And, it took years for companies like Sony, Crestron, Harman and Sennheiser to change this strategy.
So, the impact of ISE can’t be overstated.
And, Blackman and his team are controlling the AV industry in a way that most people wouldn’t have imagined back during that first show in Geneva, Switzerland in 2004. Fast forward 15 years and now his team, indirectly, controls the annual flow of product launches, product road-map planning, roll-outs and technology curves. Weird to think, but it’s true!
So, all this is to say, WHY AREN’T YOU ATTENDING?
You should be. ISE 2019 is February 5-8 in Amsterdam. Make plans to attend — you won’t regret it. It’s well worth the investment.
As for the 2018 event – for those of you attending — here’s a videocast I recorded yesterday with Mike Blackman.
He outlines what to expect in the 15 Halls of exhibit floor space (yes, 15 halls — to put that in perspective, ISE is about three-times the size of InfoComm), during the projection mapping entertainment show all over the city of Amsterdam, how to get to and from the show now — there are new trains! — and all about all the new special events happening in and around ISE. It’s worth watching and getting to know Mike, too.
I’ll see you in Amsterdam! Leave a Comment
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Crestron Rumored to Be Starting an AV-over-IP Alliance with Microsoft and Intel
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
I think it’s possible that Crestron is, behind the scenes, forming an “alliance” of sorts of AV-over-IP companies that focus exclusively (for now) on the 1Gig method of sending AV signals over an IT network. Sources from at least two big display manufacturers have told me that Crestron contacted them to join a new alliance that it’s forming with Microsoft and Intel. Here’s one reason I think this could be true.
Microsoft and Intel? Yes, that’s what both of the sources told me and that site, if real, certainly indicates that.
Apparently, Microsoft wants to standardize the security of an AV-over-IP network and Intel is providing the chip technology. Crestron apparently provided the engineering to create the platform of a combined input/output board that they would OEM to manufacturers to put inside monitors and projectors. I use the term input/output intentionally as Crestron is supposedly telling manufacturers that one board would serve as both.
The Intel chip technology used in the 1Gig platform is based on an Altera chip that compresses up to 4K60 4:4:4 video to 1Gig — Intel purchased Altera back in late 2015. The chip actually being used is the Arria 10 that supposedly has the CPU processing power to encode/decode (and scale) UHD (3840×2160) content.
But, the big news here is that Crestron, a manufacturer, would be forming an alliance with Microsoft and Intel to, conceivably, complete with the SDVoE Alliance — started originally by AptoVision who has since been purchased by SEMTECH. SDVoE is the only 10Gig AV-over-IP system on the market right now and is supported by over 25 companies who are making AV-over-IP gear (and switches in NETGEAR’s case) for the AV market. And the SDVoE Alliance includes control companies like Kramer and Savant as well as switching and AV distribution companies like DVIGear (Disclaimer: I am the founder of DVIGear, though I no longer hold any ownership in the company.), Aurora, ZeeVee, IDK and iMAG Systems and display manufacturer, Christie Digital.
For the naysayers out there that might not believe this is possible, I’ve included some screen-shots of what I was told is in a PowerPoint presentation given to the two display companies. Both of them sent me similar screen shots. And, if it does include Microsoft and Intel (both IT companies), and they help promote it, it will carry more weight than if Crestron tried to do this alone.
Crestron seems to have taken a very offensive approach with their NVX product line, lately, by not only lowering the pricing, according to both manufacturer reps and dealers I spoke to recently, but they told us they plan, at the ISE show in Amsterdam next week, to do a side-by-side of their 1Gig solution in a sort of a shoot-out with the SDVoE 10Gig solution and AMX’s own SVSi products — the current market leader.
I will let you know what I hear (and see) at ISE as I will be there.
One last note: AV-over-IP is at the beginning of its growth curve — at most, innovators and early adopters. This is all new. The industry is going to switch from HDMI and traditional matrix switching, eventually, but not all at once in 2018. 2018 will be the launching-pad year for the technology and AV integrators will likely see every major manufacturer enter the space in one format or another this year. But the idea of an all-of-a-sudden switch all AV to move all our signals across a network is a decade-long-process before it truly pervades the early majority. Not a one-year thing.
(We contacted Crestron to see if they would confirm the rumored alliance, but they did not want to comment at press time.) Leave a Comment
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Vivitek’s NovoConnect With LauncherPlus Poised to Catch Barco’s ClickShare
By Gary Kayye rAVe Founder
In the five or so years since Barco debuted the ClickShare, no company has had anything significant, as a stand-alone packaged product, which comes close to the simplicity and compatibility of their BYOD solution. The ClickShare likely has a more than 70 percent market share of this segment even though there have been a half-dozen or so copycats of that product — the most famous, of which, was KanexPro’s MyTurn that was launched at ISE 2017 and was quickly seized by a Dutch Court-appointed bailiff on day one of the ISE show last year. What made the MyTurn exciting was that it was a button-based solution — mimicking the simplicity of the ClickShare.
And, even though Barco and KanexPro settled their patent infringement dispute, it was not to be as the agreement included ceasing the distribution and sale of its MyTurn wireless presentation system in Europe and the US.
But last year at ISE, Vivitek launched its NovoConnect series of wireless collaboration products — and it includes a button-style feature called LauncherPlus.
And, even though having a USB-conencted button seems overly-simple, that’s the beauty of the ClickShare and, thus, what could make the Vivitek solution a winner.
Available in three flavors, the NovoConnect includes screen mirroring, BYOD collaboration, file sharing, connectivity from one to 64-sources/participants and iOS as well as Android wireless compatibility (AirPlay and Google Casting). And, they have a stand-alone, professional and enterprise-level product (depending on what level of network security and compatibility you want) and all meet ISO21118 standards. Oh, and one that even outputs 4K (3840 x 2160, too).
Soooo, I am interested, now that Vivitek is shipping, to see the attention it receives at ISE in a couple of weeks. Aren’t you? Leave a Comment
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The SDVoE Alliance to Debut Partner Consultant Program at ISEThe SDVoE Alliance is the fastest growing industry alliance in pro AV and there is now a way for you to participate. The SDVoE Partner Consultant Program is open to recognized leaders in the field of AV-over-IP and experts in the design and architecture of networked AV systems.
This is the next step in ensuring integrators and end users can take full advantage of the flexibility and scalability of Ethernet to deliver 4K video without compromise – and for the first time, to deliver AV and data on a converged infrastructure. Working with registered SDVoE partner consultants will give them the confidence to take advantage of all that SDVoE technology and AV-over-IP have to offer over traditional approaches such as point-to-point extension and circuit-based AV matrix switching.
The first meeting of the SDVoE Partner Consultant Program will be held at ISE 2018 in Amsterdam on Feb. 7, 13:00-14:00 in room G109. All interested parties are invited to attend the meeting to learn how they can join the program and benefit from participation.
More information about the program and registration for the ISE meeting are available here. Leave a Comment
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Winter 2017 Electronic Systems Outlook from NSCA Indicates Construction Growth AheadNSCA’s Electronic Systems Outlook report has been updated for winter 2017, and includes information based upon actual data from January through November 2017, as well as forecasted information for 2018.
NSCA partners with FMI to provide this report, which offers the newest, most relevant indicators of business opportunities for integrators. By tracking new construction starts and renovations across multiple markets – including healthcare, lodging, retail, education, houses of worship and more – NSCA pinpoints which verticals should do well in 2018 and beyond. Total U.S. construction spending put in place is expected to end up 4 percent higher in 2017 vs. 2016. In 2018, NSCA forecast a 5 percent increase in total construction spending over 2017.
The Electronic Systems Outlook Winter 2017 edition also provides an updated view of construction data by market for electronic systems/technology, including AV, data/IT, building automation/control, life safety/fire/security and digital signage/lighting.
Most other segments are likely to grow (roughly with the rate of inflation) and be considered stable. The houses of worship market is the only segment expected to decline in 2018.
At the 20th annual Business & Leadership Conference next month, in what has become an annual tradition, Chris Kuehl – chief economist for several organizations, and managing partner for a firm that provides forecasts and strategic guidance – will use the Electronic Systems Outlook Winter 2017 report to analyze long-term trends, current conditions, and the economic outlook for 2018 and beyond.
In addition, NSCA will host a free, one-hour webinar on March 20, 2018, to help integrators learn more about this data and how to apply it to their own businesses. For example, integrators can use the Electronic Systems Outlook to benchmark sales numbers and prepare business valuations. Growth indicators can be used to determine incentive programs, reveal new market potential, and appropriately distribute resources. This forecast data can also be shared with financial advisors and lenders to prove the stability of systems integrators in the marketplace.
The 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.
For more information about the Electronic Systems Outlook Winter 2017 report or to see a preview of the report, go here. Leave a Comment
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AmpliVox Introduces New Classroom Audio System PackageAimed at small to medium-sized classrooms and conference rooms, the AmpliVox Sound Systems now offers a comprehensive package of versatile sound products. AmpliVox’s new Classroom Audio System package combines a ceiling tile four-way speaker, a seven-channel mixer/amplifier and a universal wireless microphone to provide 360 degrees of clear sound coverage.
The new Classroom Audio System includes a four-speaker unit that drops into standard 2’x2’ ceiling tile spaces. The speaker pairs with AmpliVox’s unique 2.4 GHz Universal Digital Wireless Headset/Handheld Microphone, plugged into the seven-channel mixer/amplifier for simple volume, treble and bass control. The amplifier also offers Bluetooth streaming ports for playing music from SD cards or USB thumb drives.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Mackie Intros All-New Line of Headphone AmpsMackie has announced the HM Series of headphone amplifiers, available in three models, the ultra-compact HM-4 and the rackmount HM-400 and HM-800.
The ultra-compact HM-4 four-way headphone amplifier features a single 1/4″ stereo input and four 1/4″ headphone outputs with individual level controls. Mackie is presenting it as an affordable solution, priced at $41.99 USD.
The HM-400 four-channel headphone amplifier fits in a single rack space and features a main input with level control plus stereo outs, aux inputs and EQ per channel with 12 total headphone outputs. It’s priced at $209.99 USD.
The HM-800 eight-channel headphone amplifier offers up to 10 available mixes and a total of 16 headphone outputs. Featuring two discrete main inputs with level control plus stereo outs, aux inputs per channel, with 16 total headphone outputs. It’s priced at $279.99 USD.
All will be available worldwide on Feb. 1, 2018.
For more information, go here. Leave a Comment
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dBTechnologies Adds New Line Array, the VIO L208 dBTechnologies just released a new member of the VIO family, VIO L208. The companys says the VIO L208 is a powerful and compact stand-alone line array system as well as a fully compatible down-fill for VIO L210 and VIO L208 hybrid systems, completed by VIO S Active subwoofers.
VIO L208 is a two-way active line array system equipped with 2X8” neodymium woofers and 1X1.4” neodymium compression driver (2.5” voice coil). The transducers are positioned behind an all-in-one panel which acts as a phase-plug and a HF horn. The waveguide behind this panel contributes to the creation of a cylindrical wavefront, much to the advantage of hi-frequency throw distance. Each module of VIO L208 is driven by a Class-D Digipro G3 900W amp module with auto-range PSU. Thanks to the advanced sound processing of FIR filters, VIO L208 performs clearly and perfectly. The pre-amp module is also equipped with a digital optical isolation, guaranteeing interference-free input signal.
Just like the larger VIO L210 system, VIO 208’s lightweight wooden enclosure comes with a built-in rigging system made for simplicity and speed: a back central rigging strand allows users to set the relative splay angles directly in the dedicated transport cart DT-VIOL208, which is able to house four modules plus one flying bar. While lifting up the array, the rigging strand will automatically block the systems at the preset angles with no need of heavy lifting.
The dedicated 3-point flying frame DRK 208 allows users to set a precise inclination of the array and is prepared to carry an optional inclinometer laser pointer. When not in use, the flybar can be easily stored in the transport cart.
VIO L208 features on-board presets allowing users to process the system manually and any preset can be easily changed remotely with Aurora Net control software from dBTechnologies. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Barix to Introduce New Cost Effective SIP Zone Paging and Intercom Solutions at ISE 2018 Barix is adding to its SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)-based paging and intercom solutions at ISE 2018 (February 6-9, Amsterdam RAI, Stand 8-K255) with its new SIP Zone Paging firmware, a new cost-effective paging and public announcement solution. To be debuted at ISE, Barix’s latest solution for SIP architectures more fully integrates audio and paging capabilities with IP-based telephone systems in a seamless, firmware-based approach.
The new Barix SIP Zone Paging firmware runs on existing Barix hardware, including Exstreamer decoders and Annuncicom two-way audio devices and enables systems integrators to implement a zone-supportable paging solution without the need to designate a SIP client for each individual paging point. Page routing and communication is instead accomplished natively in the Barix SIP paging gateway. Configuration for this capability is required only once within the client port gateway firmware, overcoming the problem of prohibitive implementation costs for SIP solutions and need for individual client licenses.
“This is a hybrid IP paging and complete SIP solution,” said Reto Bader, vice president of sales and marketing, Barix. “The SIP Zone Paging firmware removes the constraints of configuring zone paging in a SIP environment, lessening some of the installation ‘divide’ that exists between paging and audio systems. Now, it’s a simple process to register a new gateway, provide seamless integration to the SIP firmware and enable specific zones for operation. It’s robust, easier to configure, and saves on individual licensing fees.”
As an example, a person will use the SIP phone and dial the gateway number, selecting the zones which are designated to carry the message to multiple loudspeakers at once. The SIP phones can dial into the paging system without a dedicated paging microphone station.
The new SIP Zone Paging firmware represents Barix’s latest approach to SIP and Paging integration. It is an alternative to Barix’s SIP Client Firmware, also to be demonstrated at ISE, which allows systems integrators to equip loudspeakers and amplifiers with a SIP address to receive calls.
With SIP Client Firmware, VoIP service providers can integrate intercom, paging, and music-on-hold applications with SIP-enabled PBX telephone systems and achieve centralized control and management platforms for virtually all communications. Redundant streams with seamless switching allows systems integrators to provide a single, integrated solution that is more easily serviced and maintained and maximizes reliability and customer uptime in corporate and other vertical markets. SIP Zone Paging and SIP Client Application both support registration to redundant PBX systems.
More information is here. Leave a Comment
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Audix Announces AVB-Enabled Ceiling MicrophonesAudix today announced AVB-enabled models of several of its most popular models, including the M3 tri-element hanging microphone. Since it’s launch in 2014, the M3 has become a widely popular microphone for conferencing solutions. Its patented tri-element design incorporates three-phase coherent hypercardioid capsules with tailored frequency response. The M3 is designed for speech intelligibility and provides a 360-degree coverage pattern up to 20’ in diameter. Its design allows participants to move freely around a space without experiencing any dropouts or changes in volume levels. With the new AVB-enabled models, conferencing, distance learning, courtroom and government applications that utilize AVB transport can deploy up to five M3 tri-element microphones of audio over a single Ethernet cable.
In addition to the AVB-enabled M3, Audix will also offer AVB-enabled models of the M70 flush-mount ceiling microphone with patented cradle that can be aimed and focused up to an angle of 45 degrees toward the sound source. AVB-enabled M40 and M55 single-element hanging ceiling microphone models will also be available.
All four models will begin shipping in Q2 of 2018. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Nureva Audio Manager Adds New Functionality to the HDL300 System Nureva Inc has announced the Nureva audio manager, software for the HDL300 audio conferencing system that automatically detects and performs updates to the HDL300 system’s firmware and to the audio manager itself. This means that HDL300 system customers will always have the latest advancements in the system’s Microphone Mist technology, which simultaneously processes audio from 8,192 virtual microphones that fill the meeting space. This is the first of a planned series of enhancements to the HDL300 system.
The Nureva audio manager provides a hassle-free mechanism for ongoing and automatic enhancements to the HDL300 system. In addition to automatic updates, which customers can turn off, the audio manager will provide adjustable settings including an audio equalizer, audio processing levels and other settings for interoperability with third-party devices. This will give customers more control of their audio experience.
The Nureva audio manager is available now to HDL300 audio conferencing system customers at no additional charge. An update with the additional functionality and adjustable settings will be available in spring 2018. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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NEC Europe Ships InfinityBoard All Over EMEA NEC Display Solutions Europe today announced that its NEC InfinityBoard, the company’s collaborative display solution for meeting rooms, is now available throughout the EMEA region. NEC InfinityBoard is an all-in-one solution for a meeting room touch-screen for presentations, brainstorming, reviewing, video conferencing and collaboration.
NEC InfinityBoard is available in 65” or 84” format, includes a 120° wide angle Huddly videoconferencing camera, 40W conference speakers and modular OPS Slot-in PC. The modular design integrates with Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and is based on the ultra-high definition (UHD) NEC MultiSync InGlass Touch displays. NEC InfinityBoard is customizable to users’ application needs and comes complete with passive stylus pens.
Also included is Mosaic Hub, a real-time collaborative workspace that brings people, content and ideas closer together. It combines video and voice with the ability for teams in different locations to collaborate in real-time on documents, text, images and sketches in the same expandable workspace. Mosaic has been designed with large format displays very much in mind and is the tool of choice on NEC’s InfinityBoard.
NEC InfinityBoard will form part of the company’s showcase at ISE 2018. Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Next-Generation Version of the Nureva Wall to Debut at ISE Nureva Inc will debut the Nureva Wall WM408i system at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) in Amsterdam, from February 6-9, 2018. The WM408i combines a high-definition ultra-short-throw projector with a projected capacitive multi-touch surface to create an expansive interactive working space that supports a wide range of collaborative processes and activities. The tightly integrated system delivers an advanced multi-touch experience in nearly any space, regardless of the wall type or lighting. The new system also incorporates an automated start-up experience through presence detection. Walls from 7.5′ (2.29 m) to 30′ (9.14 m) wide can be installed in side-by-side or corner configurations to create workspaces tailored to individual customer needs. The Nureva Wall is optimized for use with Span visual collaboration software, but can also be used with any Windows OS application.
The WM408i system responds to customer demand for digital tools that directly support and accelerate structured processes such as agile, lean and design thinking and addresses an overall need for more visual working space. Compared with typical interactive displays, the Nureva Wall provides larger, wall-sized working spaces at a lower cost. Collaborative processes often involve distributed teams that face the challenge of working together effectively in real time from multiple locations. The Nureva Wall with Span software is ideal for distributed teamwork. It is further enhanced when paired with the Nureva HDL300 audio conferencing system, which uses Microphone Mist technology to deliver a clear and natural audio experience.
The Nureva Wall WM408i system includes:
- A solid-state illumination (SSI) 1080p ultra-short-throw projector, featuring 3,600 lumens in a unique 17:9 aspect ratio with an expected life of 25,000 hours and integrated image alignment to support single and multisystem configurations
- A 7.5′ (2.29 m) wide (100″ diagonal) multi-touch interactive surface, incorporating presence detection, a power on/off button and an interlocking feature to simplify multi-system installation
- Up to four walls can be combined to create a 30′ (9.14 m) wide working space, with the most common configurations being two (15′ or 4.57 m) or three (22.5′ or 6.86 m) systems. Multiple walls can be installed side-by-side or in a corner
Additional product details:
- Minimal-width, low-profile bezel and flush-mount design mean the projection surface is unobtrusive in any space, creating a calm display that keeps the focus on the working session
- Projected capacitive touch technology allows up to 20 simultaneous touches and low-latency inking, to encourage more interaction and participation
- Advanced multitouch performance is maintained in virtually any space regardless of wall type, unevenness of wall surface, bright overhead lighting or reflected sunlight
- The Nureva Wall is optimized for use with Span visual collaboration software and the Nureva HDL300 audio conferencing system, which are sold separately
- The system requires a customer-provided computer running Windows 8.1 or higher
The Nureva Wall will be available for pre-order in February 2018 through a global network of value-added dealers and distributors, and will begin shipping in June 2018. The list price in the United States is $8,999. Prices in other countries will vary. Nureva is here. Leave a Comment
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DisplayNote Technologies to Launch Real-time Collaborative Workspace at ISE Called Mosaic DisplayNote Technologies will announce the launch of its new collaborative workspace solution, Mosaic, a software-only solution that is designed to bring people, ideas and content closer together.
Mosaic, a software solution for Windows and Android, combines video and voice with the ability for teams in different locations, on different displays, to collaborate in real-time on documents, text, images and sketches in the same expansive workspace. Using proximity detection, in-room attendees can share content from an iOS device in to a collaborative workspace where it can be shared and edited.
- Mosaic combines video and voice with the ability for teams in different locations to collaborate in real-time on documents, text, images and sketches in the same expansive workspace.
- Import a Word document, Excel spread sheet, PowerPoint or PDF into a workspace and teams in different locations can share and co-edit those documents in real-time.
- With Mosaic, teams in different locations can connect to draw and sketch in the same collaborative workspace.
- Using proximity detection, and low energy bluetooth, Mosaic allows users to push content from mobile devices into the workspace with support for Jpeg, Word, Powerpoint, PDF and Excel.
- When you’re done creating and collaborating, workspaces can be permanently deleted or saved to work on later.
- With Mosaic, all inbound and outbound data from Backend layer is encrypted and transmitted over TLS or DTLS with 2048-bit asymmetric encryption and 256-bit symmetric encryption. For secure point to point audio and video, data is encrypted through secure real-time protocol.
Ahead of launch, DisplayNote Technologies announced that Mosaic will be included as the main collaborative workspace solution on both NEC’s range of Infinity Boards and Sahara’s CleverTouch Pro series.
DisplayNote is here. Leave a Comment
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TrueConf Announces Skype for Business Interoperability TrueConf has announced an integration with Microsoft’s Skype for Business through its latest offering, TrueConf Server v. 4.3.9.
The integration adds interoperability for TrueConf and Skype for Business users, including audio, video and instant messaging functionality. TrueConf and Skype for Business users can easily participate in joint video calls and conferences, as well as invite legacy room endpoints. TrueConf clients can call, invite Skype for Business users to the conference or add them to the address book from their client applications. Skype for Business users can call TrueConf users with the help of simple chatbot commands, for example, “call to start a video call.”
TrueConf has added support for X-H264UC video codec to enable integration with Skype for Business 2015 or Lync 2013 dedicated servers, demonstrating TrueConf’s commitment to provide integrated video conferencing experience for users of different platforms, systems and applications. TrueConf will showcase TrueConf-Microsoft integration during Integrated Systems Europe 2018, one of the world’s largest AV shows.
TrueConf is here. Leave a Comment
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KanexPro Has Big Updates to 4K VideoWall Processors at ISE KanexPro just announced its VW-SP-1X44K, a 4K-based video processor which allows one HDMI input to be easily and spontaneously arranged on up to four 4K displays. KanexPro will show this at ISE booth number 1-N15. Users can create video walls from 2×2, 2×3 and 3×3 screens and fully control from anywhere using a tablet or any other 3rd party control system using RS-232 and Telnet.
The 1×4 4K Video Wall also offers bezel correction support with a control application. The device supports video output timings up to WUXGA@60 and 1080p@60Hz, audio format up to 7.1CH LPCM at 192kHz sampling rate based on input source Extended Display Identification Data (EDID).
Features include:
- 1×4 video processor with built-in bezel correction and control
- Can be cascaded to create up to 3×3 video wall
- Can also be used as a 1×4 DA (splitter)
- Supports 4K x 2K@24/25/30Hz
- HDCP compliant
- Outputs video signal to four displays with a full image and adjustable bezel correction
- Input PC resolutions: from VGA~WUXGA and HDTV from 480i~1080p and 4K2K@24/25/30Hz
- Various audio format support: AC3/DTS/Dolby Digital Plus/Dolby TrueHD/Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio
- Control via RS232 and Telnet (Ethernet)
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Multicast HDMI Signals Over IP Networks with new Ocean Matrix ExtenderOcean Matrix has unveiled a new HDMI signal extender (the OMX-HDMI-2-IPV2) that routes up to 99 HDMI sources to multiple HDMI devices over a local area network (LAN) using IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol). The Ocean Matrix HDMI-2-IPV2 uses advanced HDbitT over IP technology to take advantage of LAN switches supporting IGMP protocols. Supported Resolutions include: 480i@60Hz, 480p@60Hz, 576i@50Hz, 576p@50Hz, 720p@50/60Hz, 1080i@50/60Hz and 1080p@50/60Hz.
The Ocean Matrix OMX-HDMI-2-IPV2 extender can be used for multipoint to multipoint and point to multipoint applications claims a maximum resolution of 1080P@60Hz, transmitting HDMI over a single CAT5/5e/6 cable up to 394 feet. The extender includes a computer interface software for selecting and switching source devices and features an IR pass back function for control at the receiver location.
The Ocean Matrix OMX-HDMI-2-IPV2 is priced at $394. Ocean Matrix is here. Leave a Comment
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Silex Inside Releases JPEG 2000 AV-Over-IP OEM boardsSilex Inside, formerly known as Barco Silex, has extended its family of audio/video over IP OEM boards to include JPEG 2000 encoding and decoding.
Silex Inside has further enhanced its Viper OEM solution with the support of JPEG 2000 codec. The JPEG 2000 codec adds new possibilities to the Viper family by supporting higher bandwidth video signals including 4K 60fps 4:4:4. The Viper OEM solution with VC-2 HQ remains useable for applications where the video format is limited to 4K60 4:2:0.
The video signal can be further compressed while keeping the latency below one video frame. The latency of a complete AV over IP setup with Viper including the transmitter and receiver remains very low, around 10 ms.
By improving the compression ratio of the Viper platform, video formats up to 4K 60fps 4:4:4 now can be transported over a single 1G Ethernet cable with visually lossless quality. Network infrastructure cost is then much lower than comparable solutions requiring 10G Ethernet cabling and switching. 1G Ethernet cabling remains today the most affordable and widespread connectivity solution in many environments such as corporate, residential and industrial.
The Viper OEM solution is for transporting HDMI over IP, but also, according to Silex, the fastest path for manufacturers to release a compelling product to their customer base. The new platform includes all the features that were already part of the original VC-2 HQ version, namely, video wall extension, stream encryption, forward error correction for increased reliability, image processing features and more.
The upgraded OEM Viper solution with JPEG 2000 will be shown to AV professionals at the ISE 2018 trade show on booth 14-C134 or you can go here. Leave a Comment
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Vaddio OneLINK Codec Kits Ship
Vaddio is now shipping its new OneLINK Codec Kits for Cisco and Polycom Codecs. OneLINK Codec Kits give room designers more camera flexibility by providing the ability to connect Cisco, Polycom or Vaddio cameras to codec rooms. Using Vaddio RoboSHOT PTZ cameras in rooms with Polycom and Cisco codecs provides a broader array of camera choices including 12x, 20x and 30x optical zoom.
OneLINK Codec Kits provide an HDBaseT interface that extends video, power, control and network up to 328 feet (100 meters) over a single Cat6 cable. This means Cisco and Polycom systems can now go into larger rooms, with more flexibility in camera and/or codec placement, while appealing to end users who want to enjoy the benefits of cloud conferencing.
Vaddio OneLINK extension systems and RoboSHOT PTZ Cameras are now also compatible with the popular Cisco TelePresence SX20 Codec.
Vaddio’s OneLINK Bridge Codec Kits provide the added flexibility of connecting over USB 3.0 to any cloud conferencing software such as Google Hangouts, Skype for Business, WebEx, Zoom and others — regardless of the brand of camera or codec installed, greatly enhancing capabilities of traditional codecs.
Details on each kit are here.
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BrightSign to Showcase New XD4 and XT4 at ISE
BrightSign, LLC today announced that it is introducing the first of its Series 4 Players, BrightSign XD4 and XT4, at ISE in Amsterdam in February 2018, Booth 8G-240.
Following the award-winning Series 3 players, four models in the BrightSign Series 4 range are newly designed to support Dolby Vision and HDR10+. In Q2 2018, the XD234 and XD1034 will replace the current XD Series 3 models and XT244 and XT1144 will replace the current XT Series 3 line. As always, the XT line will support PoE+ and XT1144 supports HDMI In to deliver Live TV to end-points either via an HDMI cable or streaming over a network. The new players will continue using the sleek, patented industrial design of the Series 3 players.
BrightSign is here.
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NEC to Debut New 4K/UHD Display Range at ISE 2018 NEC Display Solutions Europe will debut its latest range of 4K/UHD displays at ISE 2018 in Amsterdam next week. The new MultiSync P and V Series large format displays are available in four sizes from 65” to 98” and feature High Dynamic Range (HDR) capabilities.
Both series are designed for a range of industries and environments, from retail and Digital out of Home (DooH), to finance, manufacturing, education, healthcare and transportation, where UHD displays are increasingly used in a range of applications. Due to its high image homogeneity and stable uniformity, the P Series is particularly well-suited for mission-critical control room environments.
The two series have been designed for image performance. The P Series features a brightness output of 700 cd/m2 for complete clarity even under bright ambient light, while the V Series, at 500 cd/m2, is perfect for common light conditions. Viewing quality has been significantly enhanced with the latest anti-reflective surface coatings delivering clearly visible messages even under varying and demanding ambient conditions. And, they can be installed in portrait, landscape or even table mode.
The P and V Series displays are future-ready with Open Modular intelligence (OMi) expansion, enabling owners to upgrade the power of their display at any time by seamlessly integrating one of NEC’s options for Open Pluggable Specification (OPS) Slot-in PCs, Raspberry Pi Compute Modules, or signal interfaces for content feed and computing.
Both the MultiSync P and V Series large format displays will be available across the EMEA region between May and August 2018, but visitors to ISE 2018 will be able to get a unique opportunity to see the displays in action. See the specs here. Leave a Comment
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New Kiosk, LED and Electric Height Adjust Solutions from Chief Debut at ISE Chief is debuting several new solutions at ISE stand 2-C50. The first is the Impact On-Wall Kiosk — a digital signage enclosure that has a depth-adjustable exterior frame allows for a variety of display sizes. Reversible hinges help to avoid installation and service obstructions and our exclusive design keeps the display mounted to the frame when opened, providing unparalleled service and maintenance access. Integrated engagement latches can be secured with tamper-proof hardware to protect equipment. Multiple storage options can be added to mount components in-wall and/or on-wall leveraging Middle Atlantic’s Lever Lock technology.
Next, the TiLED Series is a modular, LED mounting system designed to support creative video wall configurations. The system can include any of three mounts supporting one, two or three LED displays that connect together to form a seamless video wall. Built for the Samsung IF Series, integrated plumb adjustment helps to compensate for imperfections in the wall, keeping everything flat. Offset mounting slots allow for easy installation and protect LEDs from the damaging friction that can occur when display edges rub together.
Lastly, Chief’s line of height adjustable display mounts is expanding to include electric solutions. The new cart, floor-support and wall mounts bring higher weight capacities to support larger interactive displays, and also give an option to users who may simply prefer an electric solution over non-motorized. Keeping safety top of mind, the electric solutions features anti-collision technology, which Chief says immediately halts, then reverses motion upon encountering an obstruction to avoid pinching fingers or damaging the display.
You can see all that Chief is doing at ISE here. Leave a Comment
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SI Debuts Totally Wireless (Including Power) Motorized Screens and the Zero Edge Series Screen Innovations (SI) is at ISE 2018 (Booth #1-N85) debuting its Solo motorized screen that the company says requires zero wiring. Powered by a lithium core motor, Solo is charged by the use of SI’s patent-pending magnetic power cord that they say provides over two years of life with one charge.
SI is showing two variations of the Solo screen at ISE. First, Solo, which comes in a clear anodized cassette, is being shown in a 100” configuration. And second, Solo Pro, which can be ordered in 12 different designer-selected colors and in low-voltage, is being shown in a Ferrari red cassette color and suspended on aircraft grade cables.
In addition, SI is showing a new type of Zero Edge screen called Zero Edge Pro — a screen that’s 36 screens in one. SI is here. Leave a Comment
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Luxul Announces Built-In Domotz Remote Management Integration for Select Epic Routers Luxul today announced that several of the company’s gigabit routers will soon be available with built-in Domotz remote management technology. For integrators, this additional functionality saves time and money by allowing them to remotely manage and support their customers’ Luxul networks.
Integrators utilizing Luxul routers with Domotz technology will receive alerts when network issues arise — allowing them to take immediate action — and can share device information with Luxul’s support team for swift and easy troubleshooting. The routers also eliminate the need to purchase a separate Luxul Domotz Pro for remote management. This lowers network costs and speeds setup, improving the bottom line for integrators while providing a better experience for their clients.
Luxul routers incorporating Domotz technology include the wireless Epic 3 and wired Epic 4 Series now shipping, with integration into the Epic 5 Series coming soon. Luxul is here. Leave a Comment
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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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