By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
What’s more important: building a better mousetrap or simply solving the problem of mice in the house? Your answer depends on your perspective. The people living in the house simply want to not have mice in their home. The people selling the mousetrap want you to buy their newer, better mousetrap.
So, who’s correct? If I have to prioritize one over the other, it will always be with the home owner. Why? Because their need drives the purchase decision.
This may seem like circular logic, where there really is no ‘right’ answer. I have a saying that fits here:
The client isn’t always right, but never make them wrong.
Innovation, Improvement, blah, blah, blah…
There may very be a valid reason to innovate and create a more advanced mouse trap with built-in spring and clamp redundancy and Wi-Fi push notifications to alert the owner when the trap has been sprung. Heck, for a small percent of the general populace, there may be a market for a $200 mouse trap. But what about a simple mouse trap that just works and sells for 99 cents? That’s a more likely candidate for most home owners.
We see this kind of thinking all the time at trade shows like InfoComm, AES, NAB, and LDI: the latest and greatest technology that has a zillion new features and a slew of benefits for those fortunate enough to be the first to market with the new must-have technology. As a professional geek, I really, really like these trade shows and seeing innovative leaps in technology. I do. But what I’ve found is that the rat race of ‘better, faster, smaller, cheaper’ is often a race to the bottom.
Features and benefits for the sake of ‘because we could build it’ are largely a splash in the pan compared to the products that endure. The SM58. The Source Four. The Humbucker. These legendary products may have been eclipsed by better technology but the reputation for simply working, day in and day out, have made these perennial sellers.
Here’s the important realization for you, the manufacturer, rep firm, dealer or systems integrator: When someone buys an SM58, they’re buying based on historical performance and their own confidence in the product. But — and here’s the important part — they’re also likely to look at Shure for other mics because of this experience. This is not about the company I’m using in this example; it’s about understanding that when you can position a product based on tremendous success and share a history of stories of shared experiences, this easily understood value proposition of the product becomes your best chance at better product positioning.
Some may point out that even Shure upped the ante when they introduced the Beta58… but don’t miss the fact that they still sell the SM58 in droves, even when a newer, better product exists.
Even if you make a better product, you’re likely to be more successful with better product positioning.
What Better Product Positioning Is Not
I often wonder what the marketing folks at certain companies are thinking when I see their product ads in house of worship magazines, websites or blogs. It’s as if some firms don’t want to focus on the product as a solution, but instead on patronizing verbiage about the venue.
“Let In The Light.”
“Heavenly Sound.”
“Hear the Angels Sing.”
“Let there be Light for Less.”
Really? Selling an idealized concept in a patronizing way isn’t likely to generate quality leads. I’m just sayin’.
Product positioning may well relate to how the user can experience it, but identifying the context of their felt need should always be the purpose of product advertising.
What would happen if you looked at your sales data of products sold to churches and found a few products that sell into a broad cross section of this vertical market? I’d submit that you’d likely want to find a way to promote those products more aggressively in your advertising and communications with buyers in the house of worship market. Now consider how you’d position the top three things about those products. If my hunch is right, you likely just thought of three features. Instead, ask yourself why churches continue to buy these products. Better yet, ask them. Use that same database to solicit feedback. Incentivize them if it helps, but I’ve found that churches are quick and willing to share feedback when asked because so few people do actually ask them for their experiences and opinions!
Marketing Truth
Interestingly, when the value proposition for a product is both clearly defined and fits snugly within the felt needs of churches, the best advertising isn’t hype — it’s truth. If I was consulting with ETC, I’d be telling them to focus advertising on the original Source Four, promoting how many churches have used it for years and then introduce the rest of their Source Four family in the rest of the ad. Why? Because everyone in the church tech space knows about and has experience with the Source Four. By leaning into that shared positive experience, it lends credibility and assumed performance from the rest of the product line.
Most brands have at least one product or family of products that have had rock solid stability and earned the respect and favor of some portion of this vertical market. This is the building block for leveraging your positive brand sentiment in expanding their awareness and, hopefully, use of your newer, better products.
You may have built a better mousetrap. But have you marketed it based on something other than the newest features and benefits? The church market is listening.
What is more important to you – building better products or better product positioning? Comment below.
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
I geek out when I find out new ways of using my smartphone — hidden features or undocumented I-didn’t-know-it-could-do-that shortcuts elicit mini-celebrations and a secret calculation of how much more more value I just got out of the original purchase price. Usually these are shortcuts and features that existed when the phone launched; I’m just late to the party of power-user knowledge.
Similarly, when I hear from a peer how they use gear I also own, but in an entirely new way, it excites me to think about how I, too, can benefit from this new found application knowledge. This feeling is powerful and it gets me thinking about how else I can use a previously pedestrian component in new, cool ways.
Games, Rewards, and Purchasing Decisions
This is pretty geeky, but there are actual mathematical methods used in the study of strategic decision making, known as Game Theory. One simplified construct of this is Gamification Reward Theory. Popular online games and mobile apps are focused on reward-based progress. From Facebook-based games that have no ending but are merely limitless levels to be conquered, including mobile apps like the insanely popular Candy Crush, reward is the motivator to keep the user playing. Win a level? Get a star. Achieve five ranks in a day? Get a badge. You get the idea.
So, where this intersects the audio, video and lighting industry is in understanding the motivation of the user. But first, let’s think about the basic motivation of every company: more sales and consistent sales. That’s obvious, but what’s less apparent is the amount of time, advertising, pre-sales and sales effort to land a new sale with a new customer or sell a new product to an existing client. This variable is a soft cost or opportunity cost, and is assumed to be a normal part of the purchasing process. For new clients, it may well be, but what would happen if existing clients sold to themselves? That’s where it gets interesting.
Purchase decisions generally align into one of four categories:
Minor New Purchase — low-importance purchase.
Minor Re-Purchase — buying from brand loyalty or to maintain consistency in operations/maintenance.
Major New Purchase — high-importance purchase requiring an extensive decision-making process.
Major Re-Purchase — confidence-inspired purchase based on previous experience.
But what if there was another method for existing clients to make repeated, consistent recurring purchases and new purchases? That exists; they’re called “customer loyalty rewards” and are used in most of the consumer world.
In the retail world, customer loyalty rewards are commonplace, even from technology vendors. Astonishingly, they’re missing in the professional A/V/L industry. Instead, individual dealers and integrators are more than willing to provide discounted prices (Why? Isn’t a greater value a better win-win?) for large-quantity orders, but there’s not even a thought about rewarding clients that have the opportunity to make repeat purchases over time. There’s only the hope that a salesperson gets lucky when the unexpected, unsolicited purchase order comes in from a client. Hope, my friends, is not a good business strategy.
Tapping Into Buyer Motivation
To rethink the reward system for repeat client business, it helps to first identify their purchase habits, and their purchase history. Hopefully, because you’re in business to make sales again and again, you have a database that tracks the sales of units to clients. If you don’t have this kind of database, we need to have another discussion about the inevitability of going out of business.
Assuming, however, that you do have said database, the significant time and effort required to generate meaningful reports of buyer data is going to be the largest hurdle for most businesses. This is hard, tedious work. And, it extends beyond running a bunch of reports or generating dozens of spreadsheets; the diving into the data, establishing baselines, and measured trends over time is the point of this work. Extrapolating the data and massaging the trend lines will reveal so much about your business, I could spend the next several articles just working through those implications (engineering, design, marketing, sales, service – you’re all affected). However, what you’re looking for are two keys: buyer motivation and buying cycles.
On an aggregate level, even those barely paying attention at your company will know you have certain seasons of sales peaks and valleys. Those are buying cycles. What buyer motivation tells us is far more than when they buy; it tells us why they buy.
What if you could begin to discern some large, generalized buying motivation patterns about the House of Worship vertical market? Most certainly, you’d march right over to your marketing team and find ways to capitalize on this insight.
Now, imagine what would happen if your House of Worship clients starting telling you what’s motivating them? That’s where this is headed.
Reward Users for… Doing Their Job?
The technology already exists. The solution to ‘talk’ with your technology already exists, even (especially) from remote mobile platforms. So what’s missing? Rewarding users whenever they use the gear.
Consider the following scenarios:
Programming a lighting console? Log in through an app or web-enabled device so that your time and work is documented and your time is rewarded. You just saved a new light plot? Great! A push notification comes through on their mobile device with a new badge or reward icon.
Mixing audio for three services on a Sunday? Awesome! An automated Tweet from the user’s Twitter account, cataloging the time spent.
Cycling up the sound system through a control system? Fantastic! An automatic check-in is registered by your username.
Of course, this all sounds like the social gamification systems you’re already using: FourSquare for check-ins, Tweets for new milestones or a new level attained in a game app. We’re simply tying in the life of the techie with their social network, rewarding them for behavior and actions they’re already doing.
This brings me back to the game theory thought process as we begin to explore what motivates clients to make new or repeat purchases.
For some, it’s the challenge of completion. For others, it’s the reward itself, from tangential rewards (one that builds upon itself) to compounding rewards (value increases each time a new level is attained) to calculating rewards (the difficulty of the challenge plus the given effort is the reward level). Whatever the motivation of the user, there’s a gaming methodology reward system that fits.
In the house of worship market, not only will the technical staff love this, their peers at other churches will, too. And that, my friends, is yet another kind of motivation: reward-based usage. Even the church volunteers can get in on the fun with their own login information. From band members using personal monitor mixers to worship leaders firing up their mics and IEM’s, to the IT director who set up the automated backup system for the video editing servers, the church market has a plethora of applications where a rewards-based user system will lead to an entry into the social network of these users and influencers — and that gives your brand a free, endorsed presence to their circle of friends and peers.
Taking it to the next logical step, capturing this data and using it to send automated email sales follow-up to end-users provides a feedback loop mechanism to solicit their NPS (Net Promoter Score), understand their current satisfaction with the gear they purchased, and even allow them to self-direct their interest in your other/new technology options. All of this is platinum-coated marketing and pre-sales goodness.
Smart phones were the beginning of the Internet of Things, which by the way, is the Next Big Thing. The audio, video, and lighting industry needs to get on board this train to tomorrow. The house of worship market will not be the only vertical segment to benefit, but it is an ideal one based on the power of brand endorsement to an market where peer recommendations carry significant purchasing weight.
Which brands/tools in the A/V/L space have started down this path? Comment below.
Extron Launches Wireless HDMI Product Line with eLink 100
Extron has finally entered the wireless video transmission market with its new eLink 100 – a wireless extender that sends HDMI video and multi-channel audio signals up to 100 feet (30 meters). This is a big deal as Extron is the leader in signal routing and the bellwether when it comes to technology adoption and this entry will sort of rubber-stamp the wireless video industry in a way no other company could.
The eLink 100 is HDCP-compliant, and supports computer video with resolutions to 1920×1080, including HDTV 1080p/60. Latency of less than one millisecond ensures high quality wireless operation with real-time performance. Use of the 5 GHz spectrum allows signals to pass easily through walls and other obstacles. To ensure connection stability in environments with multipath signals, the extender uses a robust multi-input and multi-output — MIMO communication technology with AES-128 encryption and actively monitors the RF spectrum for selection of the ideal transmission channels. Since these technologies do not require line-of-sight, the eLink 100 T transmitter and eLink 100 R receiver may be concealed or mounted in separate areas to maintain the aesthetics of the space.
The eLink 100 features MIMO technology, which provides maximum throughput to enable pixel-for-pixel transmission of high resolution video with ultra-low latency. Automatic Frequency Selection — AFS, including Dynamic Frequency Selection — DFS, actively monitors the RF spectrum to identify and select an available channel, avoiding interference from other devices. For installations with multiple display devices, one transmitter can support multiple receivers, allowing an AV signal to be distributed to as many as four displays. These technologies and the compact size of the eLink 100 make it an effective means of wirelessly extending HDMI video with embedded audio in a wide variety of environments such as historic buildings, houses of worship and other locations where running cable is a challenge.
HARMAN’s JBL Intros EON 206P Portable PA SystemHARMAN’sJBL Professional is introducing the EON 206P Portable PA system and billing it as an all-in-one powered system that’s aimed at small band/solo acts, coffeehouses, clubs, schools, worship events, meetings/seminars, presentations, health clubs and more.
The JBL EON 206P features a pair of 6.5 inch passive loudspeakers, each featuring a 6.5-inch woofer and a 1-inch neodymium black nylon dome tweeter, powered by a 160-watt power amp section (80-watts per channel). The EON 206P features a maximum SPL output of 113 dB, with a nominal coverage pattern of 100×80 degrees.
The EON 206P also features an integrated 6-channel mixer with: two balanced mic/line channels with XLR/quarter-inch combo jacks (CH1 and CH2); two stereo inputs (CH3 and CH4 is RCA and quarter-inch; CH5 and CH6 is a 1/8-inch mini jack). The mixer also features Stereo Monitor Out (quarter-inch left and right out) with volume control (for an external sub or stage monitors), master volume control, reverb on Channels 1 and 2, bass/treble control, and universal power (100-240V; 50/60 Hz).
Designed for easy portability, the entire EON 206P system weighs only 25 pounds, features a durable road-tough enclosure, convenient internal cable storage, and comes in a suitcase format for easy transport and storage. It also features a 36 mm pole socket for easy mounting. Here are all the specs.
Extron Introduces Single-Gang DTP Wallplate Transmitters for HDMI
Extron Electronics just introduced the DTP T HWP 231 D and DTP T HWP 331 D, single-gang Decora-style transmitters for sending HDMI, audio and bidirectional RS232 and IR signals over a shielded CATx cable to Extron DTP-enabled products. The DTP T HWP 231 D extends signals up to 230 feet (70 meters), while the DTP T HWP 331 D extends signals up to 330 feet (100 meters). The one-gang form factor provides maximum space efficiency in wall mount, floor box and furniture mount applications. The transmitters support computer video up to 2560×1600, HDTV 1080p/60 Deep Color and 4K resolutions. Both models also accept analog stereo audio signals for simultaneous transmission over the same shielded twisted pair cable. They feature remote power capability, plus bidirectional RS232 and IR pass-through for remote AV device control.
The DTP T HWP 231 D and DTP T HWP 331 D support 12-bit Deep Color, CEC pass-through and embedded HD lossless audio formats. Both transmitters maintain DDC communication of EDID and HDCP between a source and display for reliable operation. To streamline installation, they can be remotely powered by Extron DTP CrossPoint 84 matrix switchers or other DTP-enabled products over the twisted pair cable. The transmitters also offer an HDBaseT output mode that provides the additional integration convenience of a twisted pair output that is compatible with any HDBaseT-enabled display. The DTP T HWP 231 D and DTP T HWP 331 D mount in an included Decora-style wallplate designed for installation in one-gang U.S. wall boxes.
For more information on the DTP T HWP 231 D and DTP T HWP 331 D, go here.
Aviom Announces New A320 Personal Mixer Aviom’s A320 Personal Mixer is an affordable personal mixer designed for use with in-ear monitors as well as headphones. The A320 features is reminiscent of the old mixers in that is has no menus to navigate, no complex programming, no computer required — just buttons and knobs.
The A320 utilizes a 32-channel mix engine for mixing up to 16 mono or stereo sources. The A320 includes an interesting Stereo Placement control introduced originally on the Aviom A360, but in a simplified version that combines the pan and spread of stereo signals into a single control. This allows both mono and stereo sources to be positioned in the stereo field of the mix as a whole, significantly improving the user experience with in-ear monitors and headphones, while providing the most streamlined user interface.
The A320 also offers per-channel volume, mute, and solo, as well as the same three-band master tone controls found on the A360. Each A320 can store up to eight mix snapshots — saved in the first eight channel button locations — plus its current mix across power cycles.
Middle Atlantic Claims New QAR Series Rack Saves 30+ Minutes in Assembly TimeMiddle Atlantic Products is unveiling their so-called new Quick Assembly Rack, one of three rack series to anchor Essex, its new collection of “affordable,” quality infrastructure products. Designed for price-sensitive projects, the QAR Series is a knock-down rack with an innovative patent-pending snap-together design that makes it integration-ready in five minutes or less.
According to Middle Atlantic, the Quick Assembly Rack can save up to 30 minutes or more in assembly time compared to other knock-down racks (including their own). It provides a quality foundation for residential AV systems and can be used as a skeleton rack or easily configured with sides, doors and a range of Essex power and accessory options.
The QAR Series is UL listed with models available in 12 sizes complementary to residential AV systems. Ideal for installation in closets, basements and equipment rooms, it is optimized for efficient cable management with generous facilities for bottom cable entry. All QAR Series racks feature lockable casters, optional leveling feet for fixed installation and a convenient mounting bracket for vertical power distribution.
Essex Accessory Bundles are available in three sizes for installers to select essential accessories with one easy part number. Other useful options include locking solid and plexi doors along with locking side panels that install in seconds. QAR Series racks can also be powered and protected with Essex power distribution in rackmount and vertical options.
Featuring a metallic grey finish, the QAR Series addresses thermal management through the passive ventilation designed into the rack’s top. Also available in the Essex line are quiet DC fan tops for up to 276 CFM when forced airflow is needed.
BenQ Now Shipping RP700+ Interactive Flat Panel Display
BenQ America today announced the official release of its latest interactive flat panel (IFP) display: the RP700+. Designed to increase classroom interaction, boardroom collaboration, and make wayfinding more intuitive, the 70-inch full HD display uses six-point multi-touch technology to provide responsive feedback and more accurate positioning. As a result, students, presenters and information seekers are able to experience enhanced screen sensitivity while features such as multi-source compatibility and enhanced visual comfort turn the panel into a comprehensive solution for any of today’s interactive digital signage applications.
BenQ’s new RP700+ is native 1920x1080p resolution, has a 4000:1 contrast ratio, and 350 nits of brightness, and the unit’s two 15W speakers in case the room doesn’t need amplification. Featuring six-point multi-touch technology, the RP700+ enables receptive tactile navigation, allowing users to simply touch the screen for responsive panning, zooming, and scrolling, just like a tablet. And, the panel is equipped with anti-glare glass to reduce screen reflection and eliminate any visual noise caused by glare. The display’s ambient light sensors also adjust brightness based on surrounding light levels to reduce eye strain and produce up to 50,000 hours of light life, while the unit’s anti-fingerprint finish and low blue light technology further optimize the viewing experience.
The RP700+ can be positioned in portrait or landscape mode while hotkeys embedded onto the front bezel enable quick and easy access to menus, volume, and other control features. With three convenient USB ports also on the front bezel, the RP700+ can support up to three sources simultaneously while providing overall access to HDMI, VGA, RS232 and S-Video via additional ports. Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome OS, the IFP works seamlessly with any PC or smart device via easy plug-and-play capabilities. The RP700+’s intuitive DisplayNote teaching software tool is ideal for classroom applications, enabling learners to stream content, collaborate and contribute to any presentation in real-time via multiple tablets or laptops.
InFocus Corporation released a new family of large-venue projectors dubbed the IN5310a series all aimed at large classrooms and houses of worship, at a value. The DLP-based IN5310a series, which consists of the 6000-lumen IN5312a and the 1080p IN5316HDa, provides a range of features, connectivity, lenses and has small form factor to suit most large spaces.
InFocus designed the IN5310a series to include a standard lens but offer optional, interchangeable short throw and long throw lenses. They are rated 24/7/365 operation and are filter-less. Video connectivity includes HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI-D, VGA and five BNC inputs as well as control via RS232c port and an RJ45 port to enable monitoring and control over a network.
The IN5312a and the IN5316HDa differ only in lumen count and resolution. The IN5312a delivers 6000 lumens and XGA (1024×768) resolution while the IN5316HDa provides 5000 lumens with native 1080p high-definition (1920×1080) resolution.
Specs for the IN5312a are here and the IN5316HDa specs are here.
R. L. Drake Aims to Simplify Multipoint Distribution for Public Education and Government Channels With New Encoders R. L. Drake today launched the PEG-NE24-IP, a stand-alone, single HD-SDI input MPEG-2 and H.264 digital encoder, designed to optimize multi-point media distribution for applications such as public education, government and sports. For those requiring an analog composite video input due to source equipment capability, Drake has also introduced the PEG-NE24-IP-C encoder, which includes composite video and audio inputs. Using the PEG-NE24-IP or PEG-NE24-IP-C, operators can efficiently transport video and audio signals from a local origination site back to the head-end or hub location so that they can be rebroadcast to cable subscribers, significantly lowering operational expenses while still meeting franchise obligations. The PEG-NE24-IP and PEG-NE24-IP-C encoders will be on display at the Drake booth 1710 at SCTE Cable Tec Expo, Sept. 22-25 in Denver.
The PEG-NE24-IP and PEG-NE24-IP-C can produce HD and a secondary SD program from one single HD source and output them via an SFP interface that includes copper and fiber output options, depending on the SFP module chosen by the user. A second RJ45 10/100 Ethernet port is provided for control and monitoring, which can also be configured to stream video.
Using the PEG-NE24-IP or PEG-NE24-IP-C, broadcasters can encode and stream video content in the MPEG-2 or H.264 format and PCM-embedded audio in Dolby Digital, MPEG1-Layer 2 stereo, or AAC stereo. Capable of outputting resolutions of 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i, the encoders ensure superior video quality.
Powered by a separate 110V AC power supply, the PEG-NE24-IP encoder provides operators with a small, modular, desktop solution that is compact.
Sharp Intros New LCD Series for Signage Applications
Sharp’s new PN-Y Series display is available in 55-inch, 47-inch, 42-inch or 32-inch sizes with a 1920×1080 native resolution, LED-lit LCD. A built-in USB media player allows playback of still images and videos stored on a connected USB memory device and users can set up the system to play slideshows of promotional or informational content without using a PC. Each monitor can be assigned an individual ID code to be easily controlled from a central location via a PC (in a daisy chain configuration). A fan-less architecture facilitates maintenance without attracting dust and noise, and a built-in sensor detects rising temperatures inside the monitor.
Sharp is now accepting orders on these models. Shipments against these orders are expected as follows:
PN-Y325: 32-inch class; currently available at $995
PN-Y555: 55-inch class; available mid- to late September for $1,450
PN-Y425: 42-inch class; available early to mid-October for $1,750
PN-Y475: 47-inch class; available mid- to late November for $2,550
Extron is now shipping its new IN1604 HD — an HDCP-compliant four-input scaler that features three HDMI inputs, a universal analog video input and an HDMI output. It’s designed for installation beneath conference tables and in lecterns to provide localized switching support for sources such as presenter devices. The IN1604 HD joins the recently available IN1604 DTP, which features an Extron DTP twisted pair output.
The IN1604 HD features what Extron is calling an advanced scaling engine that can scale HDMI and analog video signals to a common high resolution output and includes features like 1080i deinterlacing and Deep Color processing. With Extron EDID Minder, Key Minder and SpeedSwitch, integrators can easily connect sources and a display with plug-and-play simplicity, automatic device negotiation and nearly instantaneous switching.
The IN1604 HD delivers essential audio integration capabilities that include HDMI audio embedding and de-embedding, flexible audio switching with two individually assignable analog audio inputs, switching transitions, gain and attenuation adjustments for each analog input, output volume control, and selectable audio muting. The IN1604 HD also features convenient options for remote control and operation, including front panel controls and on-screen menus, USB, RS232 and contact closure with tally output for easy integration into a variety of environments.
Epson Adds 3LCD Reflective Laser Pro Cinema Projectors Epson’s new line of Pro Cinema projectors with 3LCD reflective laser technology include the PowerLite Pro Cinema LS10000 4K Enhancement Projector and the Pro Cinema LS9600e Wireless 1080p Projector. Both are spec’d at 1,500 lumens of color brightness and 1,500 lumens of white brightness.
Epson’s new 3LCD Reflective technology, along with the laser light source, deliver what Epson is calling “Absolute Black” contrast ratio and one of the industry’s largest color gamuts. The Pro Cinema LS10000 adds 4K Enhancement Technology for exacting sharpness, clarity and detail, shifting each pixel diagonally by 0.5 pixels to double the resolution and surpass Full HD image quality without visible stair-stepping or pixel gaps.
The LS9600e and LS10000 are both native1080p and project in 2D and 3D and have 2.1x power zoom, power focus, lens shift up to 90 percent vertical and 40 percent horizontal, lens position memory that can store up to 10 settings for standard 16:9 or 4:3 projection areas and 2.35:1 wide cinema ratio. The laser light engine offers up to 30,000 hours of life with rapid warm-up or cool down time for fast, quiet operation. For added installation and operation flexibility, a WirelessHD transmitter connects up to five HDMI devices simultaneously, with one HDMI out connection and one optical port for switching between sources, and MHL connectivity to display content from MHL-enabled tablets and smartphones (LS9600e only).
Here are the detailed specs for the LS10000 and the LS9600e.
Sennheiser is launching a Dante card for the EM 9046 receiver — making its Digital 9000 microphone system Dante audio-over-IP capable. Users can route the system’s high-definition audio data via Audinate’s Dante Controller.
As you may already know, Dante works with existing network infrastructure using IP and Ethernet standards and offers hundreds of channels of audio.
The EM 9046 DAN extension card is simply inserted into the expansion slot of the EM 9046 eight-channel receiver. Internally, the card features sixteen audio inputs to send the digital audio and command signals over the Dante network. Connection is via two Gbit RJ45 sockets that serve to establish two redundant network circuits or daisy-chain the signals. The card works with sampling rates of 44.1/48/88.2 and 96 kHz at a resolution of 24 bits. The EM 9046 DAN will be available from mid-October.
Extron Introduces 3G-SDI to 3G-SDI Scaler with Audio Embedding and De-Embedding
Extron’s new DSC 3G-3G A is an 3G-SDI scaler that converts between 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, and SDI resolutions and frame rates. It accepts, scales, and outputs SMPTE video resolutions from 480i and 576i up to 1080p/60 and 2K. The DSC 3G-3G A features advanced Extron video signal processing with 1080i deinterlacing and Deep Color processing for optimal image quality. The DSC 3G-3G A also provides flexible audio capability with analog audio embedding, de-embedding, and level adjustments. Dual SDI outputs, genlock, and an input loop-through facilitate integration in demanding professional environments, while the compact enclosure simplifies installation. The DSC 3G-3G A is ideal for applications with professional video systems, including video editing and production, rental and staging, medical imaging, and large-scale presentations.
The DSC 3G-3G A offers several features that enhance and simplify AV system integration, including two simultaneous3G-SDI/HD-SDI/SDI outputs so that two displays can be driven simultaneously. The scaler also features input equalization which conditions incoming 3G-SDI signals to compensate for signal loss over long input cables. Reclocking on the SDI input loop-through eliminates high frequency jitter. Additionally, the DSC 3G-3G A offers a range of audio capabilities including SDI audio management, input gain and attenuation controls, input audio muting, and output volume control. A convenient analog two channel audio input and output are provided for embedding audio onto the SDI output, or sending de-embedded content to a sound system or other audio destination. The output can be set for stereo or dual mono.
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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.
Everything we publish is Opt-in — we spam NO ONE! rAVe ProAV Edition is our flagship ePublication 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. You can subscribe to any of those publication or see ALL our archives by going to: https://www.ravepubs.com
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rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors.