Volume 3, Issue 2 — February 23, 2017
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Editorials Editorials Editorials
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Be Effective – Buy the Correct Tech the First Time
By Tony Sprando Commercial AV Designer
The market is flooded with online look-a-likes. Sadly, most people will just “rubber-neck” their way through it as the salesperson talks right over their heads in hopes that they’ll just get exhausted enough to press the “buy now” button and move on.
I love the quote from the movie Tommy Boy as he is trying to sell his product against another company that has the word “GUARANTEED” stamped on the box. He basically responds, “Well, I could take a “poop” in a box and put the words ‘guaranteed’ on it. But wouldn’t you rather buy a quality product from me?” There is a message here for sure and I often find myself in an educational role in this industry, though it’s a delicate position. I don’t want to sound like a hardcore AV Bend salesman and I definitely don’t want to talk down to anyone when they admit, “I can buy this thing on Amazon for a fraction of the cost you have quoted me.”
Effective vs Efficient – Buy Correctly or Buy Quickly?
A Lifehack blog post shares, “Are you doing the right things? The key to effectiveness is that you’re doing things that lead to results in the realm of your responsibilities. Meanwhile the key to efficiency is getting your things done in a manner that consumes just the appropriate amount of energy and resources.” So, yes Mr./Ms. Customer, you are right. You can be efficient and quickly buy this “thing” somewhere else for less money. But what will you be sacrificing?
The smart CEO states, “…efficiencies offer opportunities, but keep in mind that one of the fundamental economic principles is that people face trade-offs. When you take action, you are always choosing not to do something else — you make a trade.”
Two AV Myths That Sabotage Effectiveness and Are Terrible Trade-offs
I would like to take this opportunity to reveal two myths that have a direct impact on your ability to be effective:
- “All displays are basically made in the same factory in China and so they are pretty much the same. And if they are not, the difference is not a deal breaker for me if I can save money.”
The truth is there are a group of manufacturers that get their displays from the same place, but there is a lot that goes into displays besides the source of the manufacturing. For instance, there are manufacturers that take the time to re-engineer the display to optimize it and make it perform better than it came off the assembly line.
Real Life Example: Color. Read the spec sheet! Make sure your display meets sRGB Color standard, not Adobe RGB Color Space. This is key when you consider displaying your marketing presentation in the conference room versus your desktop monitor. Save yourself the embarrassment of buying a cheap monitor or TV to show off your marketing plan.
- “I have to get a 1920×1080 display because if the resolution is 4K (3840×2160), then the people in the back of the room won’t be able to view it since the text will be too small.”
There is an equation for viewing distance and choosing the right size but we are talking about resolution. The same age old rule applies — “garage in, garbage out.” If you have a laptop or media player that has a native output resolution of 3840×2160, then purchase a display with the same. The viewable size of the image to cover your audience is not about the resolution exclusively. Seek the counsel of a commercial AV designer and he/she will help you navigate where you need a single large display or a video wall, which is a more common solution these days to get a larger viewable area.
My Primary Goal – Customer Satisfaction
The biggest deal for me is that I want my customers to be happy for a long time, not just for a few days or month. I only recommend displays with commercial three year warranties. This covers me and you. The nice thing is that if the display does go bad within the warranty period, the manufacturer pays me to remove, box-up and replace. There’s no hassle or liability for my customer (deep sigh of relief!), and what a sense of satisfaction that brings to us all!
Hope you enjoyed this post and like always, you can add your comments and questions here to continue the conversation.
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At ISE, Crestron Goes Big (and Small), and Biamp Steps Towards Dante
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
Editor’s Note: Leonard Suskin has additional thoughts on Biamp’s TesiraFORTÉ DAN, which you can read here.
ISE has never been quite as big to me as InfoComm, though not for any particular reason. Perhaps it’s that time-zone differential is even worse heading East across the ocean than West to Las Vegas [or due South to Florida]. Perhaps it’s that most of my friends and contacts in the industry are American and more likely to be at InfoComm, even if I’m not. That said, it’s important to always have ones pulse on the industry. On that note, here are a few takeaways from the opening days of ISE:
Crestron Is Thinking Small
The biggest splash this week in distant Amsterdam should belong to my neighbors from New Jersey with not one, but two interesting announcements.
On the “small” side is the introduction of Mercury — essentially a USB/SIP speakerphone with, at the very least, a wireless video gateway and small touchscreen. Why is this interesting? Because there are still a host of smallish collaborative spaces from which we in the AV industry are largely shut out; for the purpose of audio-conferencing, a four, six, or even eight-person meeting room can often be served as well by a speakerphone in the middle of the table as with an integrated AV system. Replacing the speakerphone with an AV device brings us back into those spaces and puts that much more of the conferencing into our scope, where we want it.
This is another approach to the same challenge Biamp answered with their Devio tool; what do we do with collaboration and communications, which are moving away from our sphere of influence? This is distinct from the video to USB bridge products from Vaddio, Extron, Marshall and others. A USB bridge lets users bring software tools into the integrated AV environment. Discrete tools like the Devio and Mercury let users bring a quality AV experience out of the integrated spaces and into smaller, simpler rooms.
The Crestron solution is the most interesting from a traditional AV vendor into this area that I’ve seen; it isn’t just a speakerphone, but it’s a speakerphone with the kind of technology that we’ve come to associate with AV spaces. It’s the single-device conference-room solution for the smallest and most often overlooked spaces. This is the most interesting thing I’ve seen from Crestron in quite some time.
Crestron Is Thinking Big
The other splash from Crestron — and one which I didn’t expect [yes, I know that I’m easily surprised] is the introduction of a JPEG2000 video over IP solution: NVX. This is interesting in that it’s Crestron’s first foray into the kind of low-latency visually-lossless IP distribution that can replace HDBaseT for point-to-point transport in large systems. A week ago, Crestron’s design direction was to use HDBaseT for in-room transport and H.264 for broadcast or overflow to serve a wider area. This isn’t a bad solution for most environments, but there are clear advantages to IP distribution in larger systems, particularly those with asymmetrical input/output counts. That Crestron is stepping into this arena closes what had been one of the few gaps in their video distribution ecosystem.
The NVX appears to be — on paper — very similar to JPEG2000 products I’ve seen from SVSI, Just Add Power and others. In addition to routing an arbitrary count of inputs and outputs, the NVX series will include the kind of basic video-wall routing, text and graphic overlays, and similar features which we’ve come to expect from this class of product.
What’s most interesting about this is that Crestron doesn’t appear to see this as an either/or. They’re still expanding their DM-family of products with a 4K version of the now-venerable DMPS-300 series. There are reasons this makes sense, but that’s another post. This was, for my money, a very interesting show from Crestron.
Everyone Has a Digital Whiteboard
The one thing Crestron does not yet make is a digital whiteboard. That’s OK, as nearly everyone else appears to be offering one. We still have industry veterans SMART Technologies, the Microsoft Surface Hub, and now the Cisco Spark Board (and, from outside of ISE, the Google Jamboard). These products have become very similar — gateways to ecosystems. The Google Jamboard ties into Google apps, the Surface Hub into Skype for Business and similar Microsoft applications, etc.
The potential threat is to those standalone devices without their own set of widely-adopted applications. I can foresee the “default” option being to choose the device which fits one’s organization.
The all-in-one touch-enabled whiteboard is, in its way, the higher-tech, higher-cost answer to the question Crestron answered with the Mercury speakerphone at the beginning of this post: What do we do with small, low-cost collaborative spaces? For many clients, I suspect that the speakerphone option is the more easily adopted one; dialing what looks like a desktop phone is easier and more familiar than even the simplest touch-enabled LCD devices. These devices certainly have a place, but it’s a bit of a niche.
Biamp Steps Towards Dante
Biamp made one of their rare missteps quite a few years ago when they chose AVB over Dante as the primary vehicle for audio transport within their then-new generation of DSP devices. Today they’ve added Dante to their TesiréForte line of products, removing the biggest hurdle to using the product in smaller rooms with third-party endpoints. AVB still forms the basis of their video-transport Tesira Lux product line with the time-synchronization advantages therein.
What does this mean? It means that Biamp can now compete in mid-size spaces with, for example, a Shure MX910 ceiling microphone. It means that the wide, wide range of third-party Dante I/O devices can be used with the smaller Biamp DSP devices as well as the larger Tesira Server models.
We’ll see what else comes from the show, and what more will come this summer in Orlando. Perhaps I’ll be there in meatspace for once, or perhaps I’ll be where I’ve been for the past two years, watching from a distance. Leave a Comment
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On Biamp and Baseball: Second Thoughts on the TesiraFORTÉ DAN
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
Last week, I wrote about Biamp and the announcement that Dante will now be an option in their smaller TesiraFORTÉ DSP units. While it is an interesting story and the TesiraFORTÉ DAN units do fill a niche, it might not be as important as it appeared to me at first reading. I’ll tell you why not and relate a nice chat I had with the good folks from Biamp, but first we really should talk about baseball.
With pitchers and catchers due to report this week, baseball season is upon us — even with snow remaining on the ground. What I want to bring up isn’t the upcoming rite of summer, but the player trade and acquisition side of the game. Two years ago, for example, my beloved New York Mets traded Robert Allen Dickey who was, at the time, the best pitcher in the game. Their return was a number of younger players who wouldn’t be ready for another year or more. Last year the New York Yankees traded closer Aroldis Chapman (with whom I have other issues – to be discussed in an upcoming post on my personal blog) at the trade deadline. Both clubs likely lost more games than they won in the short term, but in the long term the teams were made better by enacting a longer-term plan.
Why am I talking about baseball and what does this have to do with Biamp, AVB or Dante? The first point is that as a fan, we’re conditioned to want to see our team have the best players and win the most games. As an AV systems designer, I want solutions that fit the needs of my immediate and near-future clients. A manufacturer is more like the front office of the baseball team; yes, they want to win games and yes, they want to see their gear specified into as many products as possible. They also have a long-term roadmap in mind, and what makes the most sense short-term does not always fit their longer-term vision.
I had a discussion with Graeme Harrison, executive VP of marketing from Biamp, following my initial comments on the introduction of the new TesiraFORTÉ DAN units. While acknowledging that Biamp lost some projects because of their choice of AVB over Dante, Harrison contends that it was the right choice for their roadmap and if given the option to do it again, they’d still make the same same decision. It’s because that, like a smart general manager, Biamp’s eyes were not on the next year or the next RFP, but on long-term, sustainable success.
Why do they see AVB as long-term success while Dante is more questionable? The first reasons are technical: AVB does allow more robust time-synchronization than is available with any other protocols. To create a network-based audio and video ecosystem requires an answer to the question of synchronization, and Biamp believes this to be the best answer in the long term. The second reason is more of an organizational and philosophical reason, and one with which I have sympathy: Dante looks like a standard, but it is not a standard; it is a product, wholly owned by Audinate. As such, development of Dante is out of Biamp’s hands in the way that application of an open standard — such as AVB — is not. To rely on Dante as the backbone of their architecture would leave the entire future roadmap dependent on another company developing the required features at the required times, in near-perfect sync with Biamp’s development team. This was, in their mind, not a reasonable goal.
The alternative to AVB was not, in fact, Dante. The alternative would have been to make the choice QSC made and create a new proprietary standard. This would allow control of the roadmap without being beholden to a third party. Harrison noted that one of the strengths of the Dante technology is also its weakness: ease of implementation. A manufacturer can purchase Brooklyn II modules from Audinate and integrate them with other hardware without developing a strong understanding of how the network protocols work. They leave some of us ignorant of the broader language of IT and allow us to implement technologies without fully understanding them. At best, it’s a nice shortcut allowing those with expertise in audio ingress to the world of networked transport. At worst, it’s a crutch. For a manufacturer of endpoint devices, this kind of shortcut makes sense. For those building an entire ecosystem it might not.
So where do the TesiraFORTÉ DAN units fit in all of this? I’ll go back to my baseball analogy to the Mets bringing in an aging but still capable Daisuke Matsuzaka for parts of the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Matsuzaka was not going to be part of the team’s long-term future plans, but did fill an immediate need for the team. That is more akin to what happened with the Dante models of the TesiraFORTÉ; this isn’t a move away from AVB or even towards Dante, but an answer to an immediate need from their customer base to use the Shure MX910 ceiling microphones in small, standalone spaces. In the on-going story of Biamp’s AV platform, Dante products are a footnote.
So what does this mean overall? In practical, immediate terms, it doesn’t mean all that much. The new Dante units are available and will fill certain needs. In a broader sense, thinking about it in a different way changes the story. Biamp is building an ecosystem based on open standards and the long-term direction in which they see the industry moving. We need to learn, to understand and to build our systems around IT best-practices as well as AV practices. For my part, I should remind myself that while one can look at new products with the same breathless anticipation as tomorrow night’s game, we need to look at choices of technologies with an eye towards the season, the next season and the season after that.
Aroldis Chapman image via Wikipedia Leave a Comment
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We Have More ISE Show Coverage Than Anyone – Even More Than ISE Themselves!We just returned from Amsterdam having covered the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) Show via our rAVe [NOW] LIVE show coverage. No other publication covers shows this way and it means that we shot videos of EVERY new product launched at ISE — as well as write stories on virtually every new HomeAV and ProAV piece of gear and technology there. And it’s all available on one comprehensive, dedicated (ISE-only) website here.
We shot 1,300+ product videos, recorded over 50 podcasts, wrote up more than 300 news stories and blogs and even shot 2,100+ photos of the show floor. No one, not even ISE themselves, has this much show coverage and we hope you find it helpful! Here are just a FEW of the highlights:
There are over 1,000 more new products here on our website so be sure to check it out. Leave a Comment
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Sony Debuts E-Series Projectors Sony expanded its line of 3LCD portable projectors with seven new E-series models, 4300 lumens to 3100 lumens with a choice of XGA and WXGA resolutions for the education and corporate markets. The new projectors are designed for applications including mid-sized classrooms and meeting rooms.
The new E-series includes the following seven models: VPL-EW578, VPL-EW575, VPL-EW455, VPL-EW435, VPL-EX575, VPL-EX455 and VPL-EX435.
The new models feature a 20,000:1 contrast ratio spec and Sony’s 3LCD BrightEra technology and all of them have a compact design and an array of functions, such as low fan noise, wireless connectivity and auto power on, to ensure smooth, quiet and reliable ease of use.
The new E-series models are an ideal partner for today’s integrated AV/IT environments. They expand customers’ connectivity options with dual HDMI ports for laptops, Chromecast and Miracast connections and an IP Control function to easily operate multiple projectors in one room at the same time, making them ideal for shared spaces. The Wi-Fi option enables presenters to share content wirelessly directly from laptops and the VPL-EW578 even comes with an HDBaseT connection.
The VPL-EX575, VPL-EX455 and VPL-EX435 are planned to be available in April, while the VPL-EW578, VPL-EW575, VPL-EW455 and VPL-EW435 are planned to be available in May. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Powersoft Launches New Quattrocanali Series at ISE Powersoft has again chosen ISE to launch its new four-channel Quattrocanali Series, with three different models: the Quattrocanali 4804 is 1200 watts per channel @ 8 ohm, 1500 watts per channel @ 2 ohm, 3000 W bridged @ 4 ohms; the Quattrocanali 2404 is 600 watts per channel @ 8 ohm, 800 W per channel @ 2 ohm, 1200 W bridged @ 4 ohms; and the Quattrocanali 1204 is 300 watts per channel @ 8 ohm, 500 watts per channel @ 2 ohm, 1000 watts bridged @ 4 ohms. This completes the Powersoft Installation Series that includes Duecanali (two-channel) and Ottocanali (eight-channel) series.
This new 1RU four-channel amplifier platform claims to have sustained output volume and they are aiming it for applications such as bars, restaurants, retail outlets and fitness centres. It features a switch-mode power supply with power factor correction, smart rail management and bridgeable switch mode fixed frequency Class D output circuit topology.
Quattrocanali is available in both DSP and non-DSP versions, both fully remote controllable via standard GPI/O connections on the back panel, Powersoft’s proprietary Armonìa software, dedicated web app, or third party application. Remote operation on the Quattrocanali is available via the web app and Armonìa, enabling the user to access all the amplifier’s functions from a decentralized location, further reducing the need for personnel on station. It seamlessly integrates within a networking environment, making monitoring and operation capabilities remotely accessible.
Remote access to the Quattrocanali is available both through standard CatX cabled and Wi-Fi networks. Quattrocanali may be integrated within high impedance 70V-100V distributed line systems.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Extron Launches ProAV Access PointThe Extron WAP 100AC is a ceiling mounted dual-band wireless access point that they say is engineered for heavy network traffic. It supports the latest wireless technologies, including dual-band frequency operation with Band Steering, high-transmit power, enhanced receive sensitivity MIMO and four internal high-gain antennas that all help maximize network performance and expand device network connectivity. The WAP 100AC also supports the latest PoE+ standards, allowing it to receive power and communication over a single Ethernet cable. The WAP 100AC is designed for providing wireless access to devices running the Extron Control App.
Features
- Supports both IEEE 802.11a/n/ac on 5 GHz and IEEE 802.11b/g/n on 2.4 GHz standards
- Four internal 5 dBi omni-directional antennas
- LED indicators for WPS, WLAN 5G, WLAN 2.4G, Ethernet port, and Power
- Enhanced network security
- Band steering
- Supports Power over Ethernet Plus or PoE+, reducing the cable drops to the wireless access point
- SSID-to-VLAN Tagging allows administrators to tag and assign packet destination of wireless clients
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Epson Launches New Pro L-Series Laser Projectors at ISEEpson has announced the latest Pro L-Series large venue laser projectors. The Pro L-Series come in five new models ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 lumens of color brightness and white brightness plus WUXGA and SXGA+ resolution. Leveraging 3LCD technology, the Pro L-Series integrate a laser-light source with an inorganic phosphor wheel in combination with inorganic LCD panels.
Designed for rental and staging, as well as permanent large venue installations, the expanded Pro L-Series feature a new remote image capture with a built-in camera for diagnostic purposes, flexible connection options, high native contrast ratio and 360-degree installation and projection at any angle. With Epson’s 4K Enhancement technology, which shifts each pixel diagonally by 0.5 pixels to double the resolution, the projectors accept 4K input and enhance a 1080p signal to surpass Full HD image quality. The new Pro L-Series is also compatible with Epson’s selection of lenses, which is expanding to include a new ultra-short throw option.
The Epson Pro L-Series will be available in fall 2017, with pricing announced prior to launch. The projectors come with a limited warranty of three years or 20,000 hours. All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Shuttle Computer Announced the DX30 Digital Signage Player for Small BusinessesShuttle Computer Group has announced the DX30 player that can display content on three screens simultaneously (in 4K). Shuttle’s new slim model DX30 features a low-cost and low-power consumption design that is built with an Intel Entry Level Apollo Lake SoC 14nm processor.
The DX30 has built-in Intel i211 Gigabit LAN and supports Wake On LAN to provide high speed data transfers. Designed for commercial applications, the DX30 includes USB 2.0, USB 3.0, M.2, COM ports, and SATA 6Gbps. The DX30 provides two RS232 ports (one RS232 and one RS232/422/485) and one PS/2 port.
It also has built-in one DisplayPort and one HDMI as well as one optional VGA (XPC accessory PVG01) port for supporting three independent displays. With a thickness of only 43mm with a 1.3L size, with VESA Mount standard support, the DX30 is easy to integrate into small spaces. It provides continuous 24/7 operation and uses a fanless cooling design, making it silent and stable, for long-term operation.
The DX30 lists for $200 and here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Sennheiser Expands TeamConnect Set Tray MAt ISE 2017 Sennheiser is expanding its range of dedicated business products with two new conferencing solutions: The TeamConnect Wireless Set Tray M offers Sennheiser’s innovative wireless conferencing solution in a new smaller configuration for up to 12 participants. The all-new SL Boundary 114-S DW microphone — part of their SpeechLine family of speech-dedicated microphones, with a fully wireless microphone that ensures effortless room set up and cable-free charging.
The TeamConnect Wireless Set Tray M is a more compact configuration — with two rather than four satellites and is designed for meeting rooms and conferences for up to 12 participants. The new Set Tray M now offers two portable satellites that can be charged with its stationary charging and docking tray. The system delivers multiple connectivity options with any smartphone, laptop or PC via Bluetooth, USB or 3.5-millimeters jack — brilliant flexibility to cater for a broad range of Unified Communications demands.
Dedicated to speech, the new SL Boundary 114-S DW extends the capability of the TeamConnect conferencing system with a wireless solution. The cable free microphone is easily adapted to any conference setting, while its wide coverage ensures that conference participants don’t need to speak directly into or even sit close to the microphone as it automatically picks up and enhances the voices of speakers’ in the room.
The SL Boundary 114-S DW also offers the simplicity of wireless charging and can be charged with Sennheiser’s recently-launched CHG 2W wireless charging solution. The CHG 2W uses inductive power transmission to provide convenient wireless charging for two mobile devices simultaneously. The SL Boundary 114-S DW can also be charged via USB.
All of Sennheiser’s ISE launches are here. Leave a Comment
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Barco Launches Software-Based AV Control system
Barco just launched a new version of their Overture software-based AV control solution. Any network-connected device with a browser can use Overture to control and monitor equipment.
As you likely know, Overture is an IP-based software system that can be connected via an IP network. To add a network-enabled device (projector, display, audio system, blinds, retractable projector screen) you connect it to the network and configure Overture with a web-based interface. Overture can work with any device from any brand (as long as the protocol is available).
Nearly every publication in the AV market will just re-print the press release that Barco sent out about this. However, we are going to give you context. Read this carefully and read it keeping the Barco ClickShare CSE-800 in mind. There is NO DOUBT that the Overture is being positioned to be a big part of Barco’s future and will eventually be integrated into the ClickShare – making the ClickShare the hub for Overture – not requiring a network server. Barco is clearly going after the traditional AV control market.
Overture is a centralized system. So, a server is required to run it but that server can operate in multiple locations/rooms – no matter where they are around the world. In each location, software on a simple computer handles local device communication. By adding alerts, the support team can be warned when certain events occur – an overheating projector, for example – so they can take immediate action. And because Overture monitors AV equipment centrally, the technical staff can troubleshoot and correct issues for the entire company remotely, using Overture’s Help Desk interface.
As it is completely HTML 5-based, the in-room user interface, which is used to control all the connected devices in the meeting room, can be deployed on any device that has a network connection and a web browser. Barco says this eliminates the need for proprietary controllers and touch panels.
Here are all the technical details. Leave a Comment
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NEC Intros PA803UL and PA653UL LCD Laser-Based Installation Projectors at ISE
NEC Display Solutions Europe today announced two laser-based additions to its PA Series of LCD projectors, taking low-maintenance operation to a new level. The new additions, the PA803UL and PA653UL models leverage a filter-free design, eliminating one of the biggest operational overheads normally found in installed projectors.
Both projectors are WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution, have 360 degree positioning support in any direction and also feature motorized zoom and focus, interchangeable lens options. The PA803UL is 8,000 ANSI lumens and the PA653UL is 6,500 ANSI lumens.
The new PA653UL laser projector will be available in April 2017 and the PA803UL in August 2017 and here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Sennheiser Debuts New Version of Control Cockpit
Sennheiser has announced a new version of its Control Cockpit software suite. Now, the latest version, 1.1.0, now includes wider language support with English, French, Spanish and German localization. The Sennheiser Control Cockpit is the central software for easy handling, control and maintenance of the entire SpeechLine Digital Wireless system. Control Cockpit offers network-based monitoring and remote control that can be accessed on any platform via a web browser. It provides a continuous, global dashboard overview of all network enabled SpeechLine Digital Wireless devices, shows status information at a glance and makes setting adjustments for one or multiple devices (bulk editing).
It also now supports the CHG 4N Network Charger, providing 360° monitoring of the status of microphones, even while they are not in use. Naturally, the latest version also offers support for the growing SpeechLine Digital Wireless family, including the SL Tablestand 133-S DW and SL Tablestand 153-S DW, recently launched transmitter types dedicated to podium discussions, speeches and lectures as well as ad hoc press conferences, and in addition will support the forthcoming SL Boundary 114-S DW wireless boundary layer microphone for remote conferencing and boardrooms. Control Cockpit version 1.1.0 is available here. Leave a Comment
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NEC Debuts 34″ Curved 21:9 LCD
NEC Display Solutions of America announced today its new 34-inch curved display, the NEC MultiSync EX341R. The LED-backlit, commercial-grade desktop display with a 21:9 aspect ratio provides an immersive desktop experience for business, finance, and command & control users. With an SVA panel and 3440×1440 resolution, the EX341R display has an 1800R curvature as well as ultra-narrow 1.55mm bezels on three sides, creating a uniquely immersive experience. The display features NEC’s ControlSync technology combined with DisplayPort daisy-chain functionality to simplify multiple monitor configurations as well as a picture by picture mode to replace existing monitors. The EX341R also includes NEC’s human presence sensor, which can turn the display off when the user leaves the workstation. Designed to reduce eye strain, the curved display is certified for Low Blue Light Content and Flicker-Free from TÜV Rheinland, an international service group dedicated to documenting the safety and quality of products and services. In addition, the EX341R includes factory calibration and uniformity correction, and can also be used with NEC’s exclusive SpectraViewII software to ensure colors are uniform and accurate. The desktop and SpectraViewII software are available separately or as a bundle, the EX341R-BK-SV. The curved display also includes multiple connections for most modern devices, including two HDMI ports, four USB 3.0 ports, and DisplayPort 1.2 input and output. Also, the USB hub features NEC’s DisplaySync Pro, a technology that allows users to control two computers with one keyboard and one mouse by using the display to switch between computers. The EX341R-BK and EX341R-SV-BK displays will be available this month and list for $999 and $1,149, respectively. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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ELB Launches New Collaboration Board
ELB, formerly Electroboard, just debuted Prowise, a native 4K interactive presentation display, digital whiteboard and video conferencing solution (aka collaboration board). Available in 65”, 75” and 84 inches, with built-in Windows 10 PC, wide area microphones, sound bar with sub-woofer and a 1080p conferencing camera, Prowise includes a motorized, height-adjustable mobile stand or a fixed wall mount bracket.
ELB says that all Prowise panels have a dust-resistant, fan-free, silent running design which extends the product life as ventilators and filters are no longer necessary, reducing the cost of maintenance.
Prowise panels integrate with existing ecosystems by supporting single sign-on using Microsoft Office 365 and Google Docs. A Near Field Communication (NFC) chip in the front bezel enables the presenter to sign-in at the swipe of a card. The panels support Windows and Mac gestures and third-party room control systems.
The Prowise collaboration board in 65”, 75’ and 85’ list for $13,189, $16,489 and $18,689 respectively. Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Barco Launches New ClickShare in 4K Capable CSE-800 Barco is about to one-up the ante in the wireless video/collaboration market with a totally new ClickShare model — finally one that’s actually 4K. The new CSE-800 is a is basically a 4K ClickShare with two 4K DCI (4096×2160) outputs (on HDMI) — but, it’s not as if they just took the functionality of the CSE-200 and changed the 1080p outputs and made them 4K. In this case, you can actually have 8-sources on screen at the same time — four 2×2 tiled sources on each wall. Thus, each of the eight images would be 1080p native resolution. Four ClickShare buttons are included with the CSE-800.
In addition, Barco has added both Whiteboarding functionality as well as Annotation capabilities. In the Whiteboard mode, the screen is, exactly that, a digital whiteboard — like many interactive displays have nowadays. And, Barco says you can draw, write and collaborate with anything shown on the screen and it’s simultaneous. Integrated with Apple AirPlay, Google Cast and MirrorOp, the CSE-800 now has configurable three-layer security as well as the same feature allowing you to hide the SSID of the base unit. But, they’ve added dual-network connectivity to be able to accommodate both the connected network as well as guest network connectivity (to allow casual presenters to be able to connect to a system without having to be given access to the corporate or facility-wide network).
Here are all the detailed tech specs. Leave a Comment
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NEC Europe Adds ME Series of Projectors Aimed at Classrooms and Meeting Rooms, Includes Wireless Sharing NEC Display Solutions Europe today launched the ME Series, a range of compact and multi-purpose 3LCD projectors (all native 1280×800) aimed at learning environments and corporate meeting facilities. The new ME Series all range from 3,000-4,000 ANSI lumens and all of the projectors come with MultiPresenter, NEC’s multi-user wireless screen sharing receiver that connects via USB. With the ability to connect up to 16 devices at once via a wired or wireless connection, MultiPresenter allows users to simultaneously collaborate and deliver wireless presentations from any Windows, MacOS, Android or iOS device. No internet or WLAN access is required to instantly present and share content with other participants.
The ME Series is an upgrade from the M Series WXGA LCD projectors. With the same footprint, lens position, shooting and throw angle, the ME Series allows for simple replacement of legacy LCD projectors. Furthermore, the new ME Series offers an extended lamp life of 9,000 hours. Additionally, the projectors are in line with NEC’s Green Vision, with ECO Mode technology and energy-saving features such as quick start up and direct power off. All these factors reduce total cost of ownership.
There are three different ME Series projectors, thus far. The 3600 lumen ME361W, the 3000 ANSI lumen ME301W and the 3300 ANSI lumen ME331W. All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Nureva Expands Span with 1080p Model Nureva announces the WM307i model, the latest addition to the Span visual collaboration product line, a native 1920x1080p solid-state, interactive projector. Combined with a customer-supplied PC, the WM307i creates a 7′ (2.13 meters) wide interactive digital wall. For groups that need more visual space, up to four systems can be seamlessly linked to create an ultra-wide workspace (28′ or 8.53 m). The WM307i complements the existing line of Span systems, which includes the 10′ 2″ (3.10 meters) wide WM210i and the 6′ 2″ (1.88 meters) wide MC306i mobile system. Like these systems, the WM307i is purpose-built for Span software, which supports design thinking, agile workflow visualization, corporate training and other activities by groups that need to be immersed in visual information.
The WM307i includes a 1920x1080p ultra-short-throw 16:9 solid-state projector with:
- 3,300 lumens, which Nureva says creates clear contrast in brightly-lit rooms
- 25,000 hours of expected life (similar to flat-panel displays), carefree maintenance and high resistance to dust
- An energy efficient optical engine that consumes 80 percent less power than lamp-based projectors and 30 percent less power than an 84″ (2.13 meters) flat-panel display
With the WM307i, groups can begin collaborating quickly:
- Near-instant on/off lets participants get started immediately
- Image alignment and auto-calibration make installation and setup easy
The Nureva Span WM307i visual collaboration system is available globally February 2017 and will list for $7,999. Here are all the specs.
Gary spoke to Nureva via a videocast on rAVe RADIO this week all about their ISE launches. You an watch it here. Leave a Comment
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KLIK Tries to Stay Relevant with 2.0The new KLIK 2.0 is an upgrade to the original KLIK wireless presenter sharing box (think: Barco ClickShare LITE). KLIK allows you to use your computer, tablet, or smartphone’s Wi-Fi to connect directly to KLIK Boks which connect to a display via HDMI output that’s native 1920×1080.
The included KLIK software enables you to manage multiple presentations, annotate live presentations, stream video, audio and slide shows and turn touch screen displays into a recordable whiteboard.
Version 2.0 allows you to connect via an IP Address (rather than Wi-Fi) to the KLIK Boks even when network discovery is switched off and now it adds support for Apple AirPlay video.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Barco Expands Its F-Series With New Rugged Laser Phosphor Projector Barco is expanding its F-Series projection portfolio for the ProAV market with a new rugged laser phosphor model. The F70 projector line has two models set for launch at ISE 2017 including a 4K UHD vision (3840×2160) and a WUXGA version (1920×1200) and up to 8,000 lumens. The F70 will be shipping starting in Q2 2017.
The F70 projector is designed for fixed installation in large continuously-running venues like museums, theme parks, auditoriums, and science centers. Barco says the line uses their Constant Light Output (CLOTM) functionality that they claim guarantees constant brightness and color for a long time span. Just like for the Barco F90 projectors, Barco Pulse processing is the beating heart of the F70. In addition to an intuitive user interface, Barco Pulse’s unique Single Step Processing (SSPTM) technology enables the F70 projector to achieve 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution in only one step. The F70’s laser phosphor light source provides a long lifetime of up to 60,000 hours and eliminates the need for lamp replacements.
You can see both versions here. Leave a Comment
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Polycom Intros RealPresence Immersive Studio FlexThe new Polycom RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex is their latest immersive room videoconferencing system. Everything is 4K (even the low-res sources are upscaled to 4K) and the system uses multiple 65” displays to immerse attendees. Integrated with Polycom 3D Voice, digital ceiling microphones and a system that allows for annotation and whiteboarding from your own laptop or mobile device, the RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex even includes Skype for Business integration plus Polycom RealConnect.
RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex is being promoted as affordable. With RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex you can select just what’s needed to fit with the rooms and furniture you already have in place.
Features include:
- Video and content up to 1080p60 quality, for up to 50 percent less bandwidth with H.264 High Profile support
- Quality protected by Polycom Lost Packet Recovery QoS technology that helps ensure great quality even amid network issues
- Three 65” (165-cm) 4k UltraHD LCD displays, showing up to six participants in full size (two per display)
- 55” 1080p display for content. Users can move content to one or all of the 65” displays
- Polycom 3D Voice uses advanced three-channel processing to deliver highly accurate positional audio along with unrivaled clarity
- RealPresence Touch delivers a simple and intuitive interface on a 10.1” display
- Skype for Business integration, including presence and status, native video and audio protocols, and content receive
- Telepresence Interoperability Protocol (TIP) interoperability delivers connectivity to other immersive solutions, making it easier to deploy mixed environments and connect with customers and partners
- AES software encryption for the voice, video and data streams of the call, keeping critical meetings confidential and secure
- Your IT staff can manage RealPresence Immersive Studio Flex as easily as any other video device using Polycom RealPresence
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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HARMAN Pro’s JBL Brand Debuts All-Weather Speaker Series With Ultra-Compact AWC62 LoudspeakerHARMAN Professional Solutions today announced the JBL AWC62 all-weather two-way coaxial loudspeaker, the latest addition to the JBL AW and AWC Series speakers.
Like all AWC speakers, the AWC62 incorporates a coaxial driver and the AWC62 offers a consistent 110° coverage with high output in a cabinet that measures just 10.2 x 10.2 x 10.1 inches. A unique design with a coaxial 6.5-inch low-frequency driver and 1-inch high-frequency compression driver eliminates high-frequency beaming common among speakers in this class, and extends pattern control to lower frequencies, delivering pristine sound quality with a broad frequency range of 70Hz-18kHz.
The AWC62 is IP56 rated for long-term outdoor use and has a fiberglass reinforced ABS cabinet and highly treated grille with multi-layer weather backing provide protection from dust, wind and heavy rain. The enclosure is heavily braced for exceptional low-frequency performance, with a Kevlar-reinforced low-frequency cone and a high-temperature voice coil for smooth frequency response.
The AWC62 joins a complete family of powerful outdoor loudspeakers by HARMAN, including larger AWC and AW Series products, as well as WRC- and WRX-treated versions of the JBL AE Series. AWC62 speakers provide 175-watt power handling and are equipped with a 120W 70V/100V multi-tap transformer. Each AWC62 ships with a heavy-duty, weather-capable U-type mounting bracket for easy installation. JBL AWC62 loudspeakers are now available in light gray or black (-BK).
All the specs are here. Leave a Comment
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It’s Official: Bose Enters Audioconferencing Market with ControlSpace EXBose Professional just launched themselves into a new market with the new ControlSpace EX audio conferencing system. The system includes the new ControlSpace EX-1280C conferencing signal processor and three new Dante-based ControlSpace under-table endpoints (EX-4ML, EX-8ML and EX-UH). Bose says it was designed with input from integrators and thus, the system features connectivity for various types of audio conferencing, including USB, VoIP, PSTN, analog and phone headset audio.
The ControlSpace EX-1280C processor features:
- Advanced AEC: 12 routable acoustic echo cancellers (AEC) with adaptable noise cancellation, non- linear processing and comfort noise to enhance the clarity and intelligibility of the meeting; multiple AEC references support multiple rooms and zones
- Dante audio networking: 64×64 Dante audio networking for digital audio connectivity with any Dante-based product, including newer conferencing microphones
- All-in-one connectivity: 12 mic/line analog inputs, eight analog outputs, eight Bose AmpLink digital outputs, USB (stereo in/out), VoIP (2 lines) and PSTN.
- Open-architecture signal processing: provides the flexibility needed for any conferencing application.
- SIP 2.0 compliant VoIP: Includes a web-configurable interface, two independent lines with multiple call appearances, and support for popular codecs including G.722 HD, G.726, & G.711.
- Front-Panel Display: Large 256 x 64 element OLED display and rotary knob for metering, viewing/changing IP settings and more.
All three EX Dante under-table endpoints feature PoE, daisy-chainable power and networking, multiple mounting options and a slim, high-density form factor that makes them suitable for mounting under conference tables. The two under-table microphone interfaces, the EX-4ML and EX-8ML (four and eight channels respectively), feature 48V phantom power as well as +12V LED power and three logic IO per channel (one in, two out), to interface with most types of analog conferencing microphones. The EX-UH Dante under-table endpoint extends conferencing use to include BYOD applications such as connecting mobile phones, laptops and telephone headsets using the built-in 3.5 mm TRRS analog jack, stereo-audio USB and RJ-9 connector.
All components are configured and controlled with Bose ControlSpace Designer 5.0 software. ControlSpace Remote 2.1 has been upgraded to support the new EX and includes a dialer for creating a complete tablet-based user interface for conference rooms. Drivers for popular control systems are also available.
The ControlSpace EX system is being introduced at Integrated Systems Europe this week and we had a videocast to talk to Bose about it this month – you can see or listen to that here and see it on their website here. Leave a Comment
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AKG Debuts New AKG HC644 and LC617 Hands-Free Microphones HARMAN Professional Solutions today introduced the AKG HC644 head-worn and LC617 lavalier microphones for presentation and speech applications. The new microphones are directly compatible with all AKG body-pack wireless transmitters and are adaptable to most popular wireless systems, making them ideal for presentations in classrooms, lecture halls and multiuse event facilities of any size.
AKG HC644 is a head-worn miniature condenser microphone with a slim headband, and LC617 is a clip-on omnidirectional lavalier mic with rotating clip. RF shielding prevents electromagnetic interference such as the crowded 2.4 GHz frequency, cell phones and other high-power wireless devices from ruining the signal. The built-in MicroDot connector allows each mic to be used with a variety of connection types, as well as all major wireless microphone systems.
Also the AKG HC644 and LC617 are designed to use thinner cables and have more mounting options that enable users to hide the cable and mount the microphone quickly and easily. The moisture-resistant design deflects precipitation and the presenter’s perspiration away from the mic using a protective wire-mesh layer. They are available in black and beige color options.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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HARMAN Pro’s AMX Intros Acendo Core Room Collaboration System HARMAN Professional Solutions today introduced the AMX Acendo Core presentation solution for huddle spaces and small meeting environments. One unique feature is that Acendo Core features direct integration with Microsoft Exchange scheduling, Skype for Business integration, native document viewers and email document sharing.
Built-in document viewers and rendering allow users to present content without bringing anything to the room. Users can simply start a session, navigate to their document on a USB drive, network drive or the Web and begin their presentation. For enterprises who store documents on network drives, Acendo Core integrates natively with Microsoft Active Directory so users can authenticate into a meeting and instantly access stored content. Users can quickly view the current availability of a meeting space and reserve the room for the desired time. Near the end of the scheduled meeting, participants receive an on-screen notification that their meeting is about to end. This provides the opportunity to wrap up the meeting, book the room for additional time, or search for another available room if the current space is already reserved for an upcoming meeting.
Acendo Core is thin enough to mount behind a display, or you can just mount it on a wall or place it in a credenza. Here are the tech specs. Leave a Comment
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Eiki Intros the EK-100 Series Classroom ProjectorsEiki International debuted the EK-100 Classroom Series Projectors, all 3LCD. The new EK-100 Series includes four models:
- the EK-100W with 3,600 ANSI Lumens brightness and WXGA resolution
- the EK-101X with 4,200 ANSI Lumens and XGA resolution
- the EK-102X with 3,300 ANSI Lumens and XGA resolution
- the EK-103X with 3,300 ANSI Lumens and XGA resolution
Common to all four models in the EK-100 Series product line is their 10,000-hour lamp life (in economy mode, 4,000 in normal mode). The EK-100W, 101X and 102X have a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, as well as Corner Keystone Correction. The line includes convenient 1.48-1.78:1 throw to width manual zoom and focus lens.
Eiki’s new EK-100 Meeting Room Series Projectors are shipping now and list prices are:
- EK-100W: $995
- EK-101X: $995
- EK-102X: $845
- EH-103X $695
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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AMX Debuts Acendo Vibe Conferencing Sound BarsHARMAN Professional Solutions today announced AMX Acendo Vibe, a new line of premium conferencing sound bars. The line includes JBL speakers with far-field microphones and they are integrated with a wide-angle camera.
Featuring an interesting industrial design, Acendo Vibe is designed to work in small meeting spaces or huddle rooms and it’s an all-in-one solution that requires no programming or installation of additional equipment. Acendo Vibe comes in three colors and features softened materials and finishes to augment the interior design of the office environment.
Acendo Vibe 5100 and 2100 series models incorporate advanced JBL technologies, including far-field microphones and integrated AEC. USB and Bluetooth connectivity allows for BYOD (bring your own device) conference applications by allowing users to easily connect laptops, phones and tablets. Dedicated audio inputs and outputs allow users to integrate Acendo Vibe with other AV systems, such as assistive listening systems and more.
Acendo Vibe 5100 Series models include a 120-degree field-of-view (FoV) camera that allows everyone in the room to be seen, including individuals sitting close to the display. The 5100 Series also includes HDMI connections that enable users to route video to the display, and automatically turn the display on when a laptop is connected. In addition, when paired with the new Acendo Core meeting room system, the Vibe 5100 series can also provide visual room availability and end-of-meeting alerts to room participants.
Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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NEC Europe Launches PA803UL and PA653UL Filter-Free LCD Laser-Based Install Projectors at ISE NEC Display Solutions Europe today announced two laser-based additions to its PA Series of LCD projectors. The new additions, the PA803UL and PA653UL models leverage a filter-free design, eliminating one of the biggest operational overheads normally found in installed projectors.
Designed with minimal maintenance in mind, the two new laser projectors also have a fully-sealed optical engine, allowing brightness levels to remain high and consistent without risk of dust-based ingress and image degradation.
Other key features and benefits include high lumen output (8,000 ANSI lumen from the PA803UL, 6,500 ANSI lumen from the PA653UL), highly flexible installation options with 360 degree positioning support in any direction. The projectors also feature motorised zoom and focus, interchangeable lens options and superb readability of images thanks to the combination of WUXGA resolution support, 4K60Hz image signal processing and Rec2020 colour conversion.
The new PA653UL laser projector will be available in April 2017 and the PA803UL laser projector model will follow with availability in August 2017. All the detailed specs are here. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe AVBuyers.Club 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 and HomeAV industries, 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 or say anything good (or bad).
To send me feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas, Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com.
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship newsletter with what we believe is a reach of virtually everyone in the ProAV market. rAVe HomeAV Edition, co-published with CEDIA and launched in February 2004, is, by far, the largest ePub in 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. rAVe Radio, our podcast network, was launched in 2012. AVBuyers.Club, our first publications targeted at end users, launched in May 2015. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
To read more about my background, our team and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com. Back to Top |
Copyright 2017 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: Sara@rAVePubs.com
rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |
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