Volume 5, Issue 4 — April 30, 2014
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brAVe New World Aeiforia Technos
- STEP-ing Out
Raymond Kent : Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group Editorial
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Praying for Green…Yes, Praying
By Midori Connolly AVGirl Productions
You know something I never really considered before? I never really stopped to consider the potential benefit both to and from places of worship if they were to implement greener practices. I’m sure some of you who service this market segment are shaking your heads at the no-brainer, but I’ve just recently stopped to think about the impact. The estimated number of places of worship in the United States is somewhere around 450,000. If you think of how many of these facilities were built during suburban expansion in the ’70s and ’80s, the building age puts many of them in the category of requiring remodeling and updating of technology. And what better time for them to rebuild green. And, at the same time, implement green practices… which could include green AV.
I recently met the most interesting AV professional, Aaron Hope, on Twitter. In an ensuing conversation, he really opened my eyes to the opportunities for a house of worship to “go green” — and how beneficial this could be. He said what first caught his attention was the use of the church bulletin. We’ve all seen those — the paper they hand you and most people glance at then throw away? Well, his thought was that those bulletins could easily be replaced as a simple first step to starting greener practices, perhaps by a mobile app or other electronic communications.
Elevating that thought, Aaron said that the age of so many of these buildings makes it tough to take them digital and AV over IP is almost an impossibility. They also have major issues with monitoring energy efficiency and monitoring, with many HVAC systems that still don’t even have thermostats! Imagine the potential impact of a control system. With many of these churches using capital campaigns to raise funding for new construction or improvements to existing facilities, proposing to “go green” could be a great way to garner more funds and support for the campaign.
Currently, there are a couple of bigger picture options for houses of worship. First, a church could definitely choose to pursue LEED certification for new construction or existing buildings. A handful have done so already and you can see those here. Another alternative would be the U.S. EPA’s Energy Star program for congregations, which has approximately 2,000 participants and claims they can cut a facilities cost by an average of 30 percent. One church in Plano, Tex., cut its $2 million energy budget by 50 percent by following the Energy Star program! A full listing of resources is available here on the EPA website. Finally, an interesting interfaith group, GreenFaith, has a TON of ideas and tips for any house of worship.
The pro AV industry has long been closely tied to the house of worship marketplace. For many decades, our equipment has supported the delivery of countless sermons, homilies and other holy lessons. We know these clients are continuously searching for ways to not only inspire their congregations with great ideas and powerful experiences, but also to responsibly use the funding given to them by their members. Providing them with insight on sustainability is an excellent way to strengthen our consultative role and help them support their most pressing goals. Leave a Comment
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STEP-ing Out
By Raymond Kent Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group
Well, we have officially finished our first one. Complete. Done. It’s outta’ here! After many years of involvement we got through a STEP pilot project. For those of you who don’t know, have short term memory, or just plain haven’t been paying attention, STEP stands for the Sustainable Technology Environments Program. If you are familiar with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green Globes, CalGreen or many other green building rating systems, this is similar but specifically for the Information Communications Technologies (ICT) industries. It is overseen and administered by the STEP Foundation which is comprised of technology trade associations such as InfoComm, TIA, CompTIA, and others.
In providing full disclosure here, I was part of the team of great folks under Scott Walker’s (Waveguide Consulting) leadership who through InfoComm International’s wing wrote this crazy thing called STEP. The group consisted of a variety of consultants, end users, manufacturers, and integrators and was based out of the desire to have a seat at the table and make a meaningful contribution to reducing the carbon footprint. I continue to serve as the co-chair of the Technical Advisory Committee for the STEP Foundation and have worked with the allied ICT groups in the creation of their industry specific credits and moderated their input over the general credits to continually improve the system. As part of the process it was decided to move forward with pilot projects of which my company gladly accepted the challenge and have now worked through the design phase of two projects and one of those is the one that just completed. We were up to a challenge so we decided to select a building type that we know to be a heavy user of power and were complex in nature — performing arts venues. The second of the two pilot projects is for a major university and is a mix of new construction and renovation of an existing performing arts center that houses a school of theater, dance, and film and media. It is due to start construction soon and is significantly larger than the one we just finished. More on his project at a later time…
The project we just finished is a multi-purpose black box theater that is contained in a new library for the Cuyahoga County Public Library system located adjacent to their main administrative branch. The key to the success of the project was providing a flexible space for the end user. Quite often in performing arts lingo that means more gear to accommodate anything they can throw at it. Designed by Holzheimer Bolek Meehan Architects of Cleveland, Ohio our task was to provide the engineering, theater technology, IT, audiovisual and acoustics that could accommodate a variety of experiences within the black box — art shows, banquets, dance, live theater, guest lectures, and such — as well as the rest of the actual library including meeting spaces, gaming areas, classrooms, and other public areas.
Sustainability was definitely a priority for the client and they were eager to include the technology as part of it so STEP was a perfect fit. The first challenge was to get everyone involved to understand the system and its similarities and differences to the LEED process. Having a great partner in HBM Architects who made sure our input was incorporated early in the design process I strongly feel help to make this a success in the design phase. I would highly encourage anyone undertaking this or any other green building project to push hard to have a seat at the table and as early in the process as possible. The earlier you are involved, the easier it is to design great solutions and save the project money down the road.
After understanding the basic parameters of the project and the intended use, the checklist (like LEED) was able to be reviewed and potential credits identified. It was critical to have the engineers, architects, and owner involved with the process so there were no surprises later. Having the General Contractor or a professional estimator involved also proves useful in evaluating the potential costs of solutions. The design reference guide really worked well as a companion document to be able to explain the process, the expectations, and the deliverables for each credit we were seeking to achieve to the other team members.
This project was all new construction so certain credits, such as the reuse or recycling of existing equipment, didn’t apply and fortunately there is a mechanism in the score sheet that allows you to turn off not applicable credits. The majority of the design team had worked on LEED projects before so we started off with a good foundation in which to start. Working with our engineers, we were able to identify the opportunities for interfacing with the building systems early on so they could plan appropriately. The key to the success was in making sure we documented everything we could. I have heard concerns in my many conversation with interested parties outside of these project that pursuing STEP could add significant amounts of time to the project and reduce profitability as a result of lower fees. What I discovered instead was that it actually saved us time in the long run because we had this information to reference back to in an orderly manner later in the process when questions or concerns did arise.
At the time of the design of this project we did run into one small snag with interfacing with the Building Automation System that would be designed as part of the HVAC, lighting, power, and other building systems which was a lack of a truly plug and play translator and graphical user interface. We found one manufacturer that had a great translator but was lacking on the GUI and another that did neither very well, and a third that did not even have a translator but had a great dashboard. That said, it was still early in the game for the development of these systems and the industry has really stepped up since and now provides solid solutions. In our case we had to cobble together several manufacturers and rely on savvy programming skills from the integrator for the GUI.
Like LEED and other rating systems there is a heavy reliance on other standards either from ASHRE, InfoComm, or others that took some time to make sure we were inclusive and not exclusive of relevant ones. That said, it proved to be of significant value as these standards are well known outside of the ICT industry by the general trades so the learning curve was more on our part than theirs.
Once we proceeded through the first three phases (programming, architectural and infrastructure, and system design) we moved the project out to bid. We took advantage of this to hold an educational session at the pre-bid meeting about STEP and what it would mean for contractors bidding on the project also that their bids reflected what they perceived to be any additional costs related to complying with the system integration phase. One a successful bidder was identified we were able to drill down deeper with them at their office using it as another opportunity to educate their staff about the STEP system. We did find some challenges with the contractor not fully understanding the required deliverables such as how to document the recycling of materials from construction waste and often were left with information that had to be recreated. I certainly will give some credence to the fact that I personally have been steeped in the STEP rating since its inception and that what may be clear to me was not to them. At the end however the credits were achieved and they would hopefully be prepared for the next STEP project that may cross their doors.
Overall I felt the process went well for something new to the game. Like when design and construction teams first heard of LEED and there was a scramble to understand, I expect this to play out as well until it becomes second nature. Being the smaller of the two projects we did I was glad it came first so when the large one goes into construction I will feel more prepared to navigate the contractors through the process for another successful run.
I would be interested in hearing from other people involved with pilot projects and their take on how it went. We certainly plan on doing as many as we can as a way to help our clients achieve their goals while reducing energy and materials. We definitely see it as a win-win for all involved and worth pursuing if you haven’t. Most importantly I found it gave us language and a roadmap when we had that seat at the table to make a meaningful contribution to the quality of the project. Leave a Comment
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Hospitals Look to Patient Engagement to Meet Healthcare Delivery Challenges
By Stephane Willaert Vice President Strategic Marketing, Healthcare IT Solutions for Barco
Today’s hospitals are facing a sea change in the healthcare industry as a result of increasing pressures to deliver quality care to millions of newly insured patients gaining access under the new Affordable Care Act. Compounding the problem is the need to keep a tighter rein on costs as reimbursements are expected to continue their decline for many services. The challenge to do more with less has never been greater for hospitals, which must stay focused on their top priorities: patient safety, quality of care, patient experience and satisfaction and cost reduction.
Fortunately, the market is responding with interactive patient care aka “patient engagement” solutions that enable hospitals to manage clinical information and tasks, while providing a robust entertainment portal, right at the patient bedside. The best option is a turnkey system that bundles a bedside smart terminal with patient entertainment, personalized services and clinical access software, and which ensures seamless operation and smooth connectivity within patient rooms and across the enterprise.
Typically comprising a medically designed all-in-one computer, these consoles are available in wall- and ceiling-mounted options for easy viewing and mobility. User-friendly graphic interfaces, similar to smartphone menus, make applications easily accessible via a touchscreen. Secure smart- or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-card access ensures that only the appropriate caregivers have access to patient information.
Connecting Quality Care from Every Perspective
The primary objective of interactive patient care solutions is to help eliminate “solution silos” by centralizing multiple capabilities and enhanced functionality into an integrated clinical collaboration and patient engagement platform. This eliminates the need for costly redundant equipment and applications while facilitating communications between patients and their family and friends, as well as among clinicians and staff, to provide a more cohesive, patient-centric approach to care.
Each constituency within a healthcare organization has specific needs and issues that must be addressed in order to fulfill this objective:
Clinicians
Physicians require simple, streamlined clinical access that enables them to enter orders directly into a networked, interactive patient care system as well as view PACS (x-ray, MRI, etc.) images at the patient bedside. Nurses and medical staff also need more efficient ways to chart and administer medication at the point of care, as well as share essential healthcare educational materials with patients throughout their treatment and recovery to help them fully participate in their own positive recovery. All of these efficiencies result in the ability for medical personnel to more effectively deliver a higher level of service to patients.
Patient engagement solutions can greatly improve clinician’s performance by automating many aspects of patient care, allowing clinicians and staff to focus more time on patient care and less on administration. The ability to directly input data into a centralized information repository right at the patient bedside in real-time also results in fewer errors, which greatly increases patient safety.
These improvements also enhance workflow across the healthcare organization. The benefit to the bottom line is obvious: Any time you can reduce the number of steps involved in caregiving as well as shrink the administrative task burden, you’ll increase productivity, which positively impacts the healthcare delivery organization’s profitability.
IT & Facilities
From an information technology perspective, hospitals need a truly interoperable system that leverages the existing IT infrastructure, and which is both flexible and scalable in terms of implementation. It must enable streamlined, secure access to clinical information and facilitate regulatory auditing requirements, while offering patients easy, bedside access to entertainment, education and the internet as well as self-service room environment controls and service requests.
Hospital Administration
One of the most critical mandates for today’s hospitals is Meaningful Use compliance. Meaningful Use is the use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to:
- Improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities
- Engage patients and family
- Improve care coordination, and population and public health
- Maintain privacy and security of patient health information
Meaningful Use sets specific objectives that hospitals must demonstrate over a three-stage, five-year implementation schedule beginning in 2011 to qualify for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Incentive Programs.
While Stage 1 (2011-2012) required healthcare delivery organizations to implement EHR and CPOE (Computerized Physician Order Entry) technologies to centralize and streamline documentation, Stage 2 is focused on patient engagement. Beginning in 2014, hospitals’ performance attainment and improvement will determine their total reimbursements under CMS, whereby they are rewarded or penalized based on the quality, not quantity, of care provided. This is measured by the self-reported patient experience using the HCAHPS (Healthcare Consumer Assessment of Hospital Providers and Systems) Survey, which is the first national, standardized and publicly reported survey of patients’ perspectives of hospital care.
Empowering Patients through Engagement
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) defines patient-centered care as providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, and values and ensures that patient values guide all clinical decisions. Patient-centered care supports active involvement of patients and their families in decision-making. The Affordable Care Acts also puts consumers back in charge of their healthcare, featuring a new “Patient’s Bill of Rights” that gives Americans the stability and flexibility they need to make informed choices about their health.
Meaningful Use requirements are forcing hospitals to take a hard look at the quality of care they’re delivering, and patients are clearly in the driver’s seat. All of the measures to streamline workflow and enhance clinical productivity won’t be enough if hospitals aren’t also focusing their efforts on engaging patients in ways that will measurably increase their satisfaction and improve health outcomes.
The most effective patient engagement solutions provide a wide array of entertainment options, from television and on-demand movies, to games and interactive activities, to telephone, email and internet communications to stay in touch with family, friends and even their caregivers. Personalized patient services like meal ordering, room controls and patient service request systems can also be easily integrated with the leading solutions to ensure patients’ comfort and staff responsiveness in the most efficient way.
Patients can take satisfaction surveys online, right on their patient bedside terminal, to provide valuable feedback on numerous aspects of their healthcare experience to hospital administrators so they can make improvements to enhance the patient experience.
Patient Education: the Path to Reducing Readmissions
While interactive patient care solutions can go a long way toward creating happier patients, thanks to these entertainment and communications, the most important objective is to educate them with the goal of influencing successful health outcomes. The patient engagement platform can offer patients a wide array of educational modules and customized content to help them understand their medical condition, and provide drug purpose/side-effects/interactions, safety reminders and post-discharge treatment instructions. The system also automatically assigns appropriate videos based on the patient’s specific diagnosis code. Once the patient views the video, their EMR file is instantly updated to indicate their compliance. The result is that better informed patients typically benefit from a more positive healthcare experience, reducing the possibility of a costly readmission.
With the advent of Meaningful Use Stage 2, hospitals are seeking interactive patient care solutions to help them fulfill the mandate requiring them to provide patients with on-demand access to their health information, with at least 10 percent documented usage starting this year. Patient engagement systems provide an ideal compliance tool, with the ability to directly link to the hospital’s main portal which allows patients to register to fulfill the Meaningful Use 2 requirements.
Better Outcomes All Around
Safely and effectively delivering high quality patient care is no small feat today, and will likely present even greater challenges tomorrow. But by harnessing the power and flexibility of today’s interactive patient care solutions, healthcare organizations can make great strides toward achieving their top priorities and meeting Meaningful Use requirements with a minimum of anxiety and expense. Leave a Comment
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Active Thermal Management Shows Dual CoolThere are rack installations in closets that are hot and so full that there aren’t any spaces left for a cooling system. Then there are closets with shelf-mounted systems that also need cooling. Active Thermal Management says that Dual-Cool can solve both problems as it has a two-mode cooling system that’s equally effective cooling racks and shelves, in both cases moving heated air to an attic or an adjacent area through 5′ of flexible tubing.
A benefit of Dual-Cool in a rack installation is that it mounts to the rack’s rear rails, taking up no front rack space. It’s 2U rack units high and only 7″ deep and it mounts easily behind a shallow component near the top of the rack. A remote thermal probe starts Dual-cool’s fans turning at low speed (adjustable) at 90F (also adjustable) and switches it to full speed if the temperature rises another 10 degrees.
Rack or shelf installation, heated air is pulled up from below Dual-Cool’s chassis by three powerful fans, and is exhausted through 5’ of insulated flexible tubing.
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Casio Introduces Bright Laser/LED Hybrid Ultra Short Throw Projector Casio today introduced its first lamp-less ultra short throw projector, the XJ-UT310WN. With brightness up to 3,100 lumens and a throw ratio of 0.28:1, Casio says the XJ-UT310WN is the brightest ultra short throw on the market without a lamp. It enables users to project an 80″ image from 18″ away. Other features include:
- WXGA resolution
- Wireless connection to smart phones and computers (802.11b/g)
- 2 GB of built-in memory
- HDMI, RGB and video inputs
- Audio inputs and a built-in 16-watt speaker
- 20,000 estimated life
- Dust-resistant design
- Fixed lens and mirror system
- Laser and LED hybrid light source
Casio’s free mobile application (Apple iOS and Android compatible) allows users to display and annotate presentations from a mobile device, as well as capture and save. They can also open an Internet browser and display content in real-time. There is also an image capture function using the mobile device’s camera to snap an image and send it to the projector. Casio says the primary target for this projector is the education market.
Casio says the XJ-UT310WN will be available in Q3 2014 with an MSRP of $1,999.99. More information is here. Leave a Comment
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InfoComm Replaces CAVSP With APEx, Audiovisual Providers of Excellence DesignationEarlier this week, InfoComm debuted its new Audiovisual Providers of Excellence (APEx) designation. InfoComm APEx replaces InfoComm’s Certified AudioVisual Service Provider Program (CAVSP), which will conclude at the end of the year.
InfoComm APEx will also recognize a broader base of industry certifications beyond InfoComm’s CTS credential as a sign of commitment to quality.
The InfoComm International Audiovisual Providers of Excellence program also mandates the use of two industry standards to foster better communication between the AV provider and the client. Because both the ANSI/INFOCOMM Standard Guide for Audiovisual Systems Design and Coordination Processes and the AV System Performance Verification Standard were developed in an open, consensus-based process, approved by an independent outside body, and are aimed at providing proper communication and documentation between the AV industry and the client, using both on several projects is a requirement. InfoComm makes all of its standards available to its members at no charge in order to drive the adoption of practices that will advance the industry.
Creating a program that acknowledges outstanding companies of all sizes was a priority, and requirements vary based on the number of company employees. InfoComm will invest in a substantial online campaign to promote APEx companies to end-customers. A toolkit that APEx companies can use to promote their designation will be made available to participating companies.
While this program is aimed at integrators and design consultancies, InfoComm will unveil related programs for the live events, technology manager and manufacturing communities later this year, with input from these constituencies.
All the information for what’s available so far is here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships Pro Series Control System Line Extron is now shipping most of the Pro Series control systems products, including TouchLink Pro touchpanels, IP Link Pro control processors, Global Configurator Professional, LinkLicense and several Pro Series accessories. Extron says its Pro Series takes configurable control to a whole new level with a broad range of tools and technologies geared to handle the evolving complexities of today’s AV system designs. In addition to more processing power, greater security and enhanced overall performance, all Pro Series control systems are designed to make complex systems simpler and simple systems more powerful.
Customers now have immediate access to: six TouchLink Pro touchpanels including a five-inch model with capacitive touchscreen; five IP Link Pro control processors including two with Extron LinkLicense capabilities (a new way for people to use their mobile devices as primary control interfaces); Global Configurator Professional, a new GUI Designer interface design software; and four Pro Series control accessories.
For more information, click here. Leave a Comment
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BenQ Debuts World’s First 32-Inch WQHD Monitor Designed for 3D Printing BenQ America today introduced the BL3200PT – a 32-inch wide quad high-definition (WQHD) monitor designed specifically for 3D printing, computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM). The BL3200PT features a 2560×1440 resolution and a VA panel with a 178-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle.
Part of BenQ’s RevolutionEyes monitor series, which claims to increase user comfort during long periods of computer use, the BL3200PT incorporates BenQ’s so-called ZeroFlicker technology. Using a new direct lighting system engineered to eliminate flicker issues caused by backlight LED controllers, the eye-comfort technology enhances productivity and reduces visual fatigue by eliminating monitor flickering at all brightness levels. In addition, the BL3200PT is equipped with Low Blue Light technology that successfully manages the exposure of blue spectrum light emitted by computer screens, further contributing to more comfortable viewing sessions.
Additional features include:
- Automatic Eye-Protect Sensor: Detects ambient light levels and automatically adjusts monitor brightness throughout the day for optimized clarity and comfort. Perfect for designers who have large windows in their offices.
- Anti-Glare Reduction: Advanced anti-glare reduces screen reflection and eliminates visual interference, preventing both eye fatigue and stress.
- Reading Mode: Recreates the comfortable experience of reading books by adjusting the monitor’s color temperature and brightness levels as well as balancing contrast ratio and sharpness to simulate the look of real paper.
- Height Adjustment Stand (HAS): Allows users to find the best viewing angle for personal use or screen sharing from an extensive range of monitor adjustments such as height, tilt, pivot, and swivel.
- Smart Reminder (Optional): Reminds users to take a break at predefined time intervals
See all the specs here. Leave a Comment
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New Version of Extron IN1608 Scaling Presentation Switcher Offers Built-In Control Processor Extron’s IN1608 IPCP is a new addition to the IN1608 product family that features a built-in Extron IP Link Pro control processor. You may already know that the IN1608 is an AV system in one box, including an HDCP-compliant, multi-format video switcher, a scaling engine, integrated DTP 230 transmitter and receivers, a mono or stereo amplifier, comprehensive audio processing, and now has added a control processor that is uniquely expandable.
The IN1608 IPCP features a built-in IP Link Pro control processor, with the same advanced features, processing power, and technologies found in the standalone Extron IPCP Pro control processors. The IN1608 IPCP delivers high-speed processing and control port capacity for complete, customizable control of an entire AV system, including all source devices and displays, plus room functions. You can connect an Extron TouchLink Pro touch panel to the built-in Gigabit Ethernet switch (without the need for an external interface) directly to the IN1608 IPCP.
As with all Extron control systems, the IN1608 IPCP is intuitive and configurable with their Global Configurator software. The latest version of Global Configurator includes features such as conditional logic, local variables, and macros. Global Configurator Professional adds unprecedented scalability with Controller Groups, a unique feature that allows an IN1608 IPCP to be combined with additional IP Link Pro processors to create a large-scale control system. This is aimed at not only rooms, but controlling multiple systems or even remote locations around the world. IN1608 IPCP systems throughout a facility, building, campus, or offices worldwide can be monitored and managed using Extron GlobalViewer Enterprise server-based software.
With the purchase of an Extron LinkLicense with the IN1608 IPCP, a tablet or laptop can serve as the primary control interface for the AV system. A unique benefit of LinkLicense is the ability to use Extron GUI Designer software to design interfaces for specific user roles in an organization. LinkLicense works seamlessly with Extron’s TouchLink for iPad app, and allows an interface to be duplicated to many additional devices. It simplifies deployment of AV system control for BYOD with a single license purchase per system and no per-user fees, and allows a standardized BYOD strategy for AV control across an organization.
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Extron Intros Half-Rack, Four Input Scaler with DTP Extron’s new IN1604 DTP is an HDCP-compliant scaler with three HDMI inputs, a universal analog video input and a DTP output, all housed in a 1U, half rack enclosure. The IN1604 DTP is designed for installation beneath conference tables and in lecterns to provide localized switching support for sources such as presenter devices, as well as signal extension up to 330 feet (100 meters) over shielded CATx cable to reach a wall or ceiling-mounted display. The IN1604 DTP features automatic switching and a scaling engine that converts both HDMI and analog video sources.
The IN1604 DTP includes a DTP twisted pair output (HDBaseT-compliant) that can be used to extend video, audio and control to a DTP receiver behind a flat-panel display on a wall or above a ceiling-mounted projector, with the receiver powered over the same shielded CATx cable. Integrators can choose from a complete line of DTP 230 receivers for 230-foot (70-meter) signal extension or DTP 330 receivers for 330-foot signal extension, to accommodate distance requirements of specific applications. The DTP output can also be used for sending video and embedded audio, plus bidirectional control signals to any HDBaseT-enabled display (a projector or monitor with a direct HDBaseT input). The IN1604 DTP scaler includes 1080i de-interlacing and Deep Color processing and the box is integrated with Extron’s EDID Minder, Key Minder and SpeedSwitch.
Finally, the IN1604 DTP has some interesting audio integration capabilities that include HDMI audio embedding and de-embedding, audio switching with two individually assignable analog audio inputs, switching transitions, gain and attenuation adjustments for each analog input, output volume control, and input audio muting — a lot, quite frankly, for a small 1/2 rack width box. The IN1604 DTP can be controlled via front panel controls, on-screen menus, USB, RS-232, and contact closure with tally output.
Here are all the detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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New HDBaseT Receiver With Integrated Amplifier and IP Control System Aurora Multimedia has announced DXE-CAT-RX3 series of HDBaseT receivers are now shipping. These new HDBaseT receivers consist of four models all incorporating balanced analog stereo audio input and output with mixing capabilities, and dual relays for screen/lift control.
The DXE-CAT-RX3A model adds a 2×35-watt amplifier. Two additional models come complete with on-board IP/web based control (DXE-CAT-RX3-C and DXE-RX3A-C). The “C” versions include a stand-alone control system offering tablet integration and one RS232, one IR, two relays, audio input mixing control and output level control. Built-in web server features allow for non-platform specific web-control integration from iPad/Tablets and other web browsing devices.
The DXE-CAT-RX3 when combined with Aurora’s DXW-2 wall plates and DXB-8 button panel provide a complete AV control and distribution system over a single CAT cable. More information is here. Leave a Comment
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DPI Intros 10,000 Lumen Laser ProjectorDigital Projection International (DPI) has announced the launch of the HIGHLite LASER WUXGA 3D, which offers 10,000 lumens from a solid-state light source, capable of producing over 20,000 hours of illumination and WUXGA (1920×1200). Due to the light source and lack of a lamp, this projector offers a lower total cost of ownership.
Image edge blending is included as standard, along with advanced geometric warp correction. Additionally, active 3D functionality with frame rates up to 144 Hz is included. Inputs include dual HDMI 1.4, DVI and 3G-SDI, as well as HDBaseT connectivity for the transmission of uncompressed HD video over a CAT5e/6 LAN cable. A diverse selection of both fixed and zoom lenses, with throw ratios ranging from 0.77:1 to 6.76:1 and extensive lens shift, is available.
DPI says the projector will ship this June. To get complete specs, click here. Leave a Comment
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Panasonic Debuts 98″ and 84″ 4K LED Displays at NAB Panasonic this month announced two new large-format 4K (3840×2160) LED displays along with other new professional AV technologies at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show.
The 98” TH-98LQ70 and 84” TH-84LQ70 4K displays are being marketed for broadcast production, digital signage, rental and staging, design and simulation as well as command and control rooms. These displays, combined with Panasonic’s imaging capture and workflow technologies, provide a one-stop solution for organizations with image creation needs. The displays can also scale non-4K sources to a higher level of picture quality.
LQ70 Series displays are equipped with a protective glass and also feature a ruggedized aluminum frame. They can be installed vertically or horizontally, and offer SLOT3.0 architecture. Panasonic says the displays will ship in September 2014. For more information, click here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Adds Digital Connectivity, USB Power to Hideaway Series Enclosures Extron Electronics is introducing the HSA 300, a new addition to the company’s HSA – Hideaway Surface Access Enclosure series of furniture-mountable enclosures. The compact HSA 300 provides inconspicuous access to AV connectivity, AC power and USB power. The enclosure’s tilt-up faceplate features connectors for HDMI, VGA, PC audio and network pass-through, as well as an AC power outlet and two 5 VDC USB power outlets for charging mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. AC power outlets are available for the U.S. and Central Europe, as well as a multi-region outlet that supports a variety of plug types. The HSA 300 is available a black anodized finish.
The HSA enclosures are available in three primary configurations that complement most room designs and furniture types: compact, tilt-up enclosures with fixed AV and network connectivity; tilt-up, modular enclosures with configurable connectivity; and vertically lifting, double-sided enclosures that provide access to connectivity and power from either side of the table. To operate, a user presses down on the top to release the HSA, which lifts the connector combinations into view. HSA enclosures are designed for easy mounting into tables, desks or other AV furniture, and sit nearly flush with the surface once installed.
For more information on the HSA 300, click here. Leave a Comment
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Juice Goose Intros P90-PRO Series UPS Products Juice Goose announced this week a new series of energy saving, online UPS products that reduce operating costs for end users and project cost for integrators — the P90-PRO Series. Juice Goose says the P90-PRO models feature a 0.90 power factor design that converts 90 percent of power line voltage and current into wattage.
Beyond the higher power factor, the P90-PRO ECO Mode is a selectable feature that allows a power bypass of the battery circuitry when line voltage is within an acceptable range. Eliminating the overhead load of the UPS increases operating efficiency of the UPS to 98 percent. When not in ECO mode, online (double conversion) circuitry provides a continuous charge on the UPS batteries while maintaining a complete barrier against any form of surge or voltage transient.
The P90‑PRO Series models include the 1000VA, 1500VA, 2000VA and 3000VA. Each can be rack, tower or wall mounted. For more information, click here. Leave a Comment
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BSS Audio Ships BLU-50 Signal Processor HARMAN’s BSS Audio is now shipping its BLU-50 signal processor, part of the Soundweb London family of digital signal processors. The BLU-50 is a half-rack width processor that offers a fixed configuration of four inputs and four outputs, configurable signal processing, logic processing and BLU link. The device can be powered with the included 12VDC power supply but can accept 12-48VDC via a terminal block connector. The BLU-50 can also be powered with PoE+ via the Ethernet port, allowing the device to be powered, configured, controlled and monitored using a single Cat 5e cable.
The analog inputs of the BLU-50 provide software configurable gain in 6dB steps up to +48dB per channel and software selectable phantom power per channel. Phantom power, signal present and clip information per channel is easily accessible, without the requirement for a PC, from clear front panel LED indication.
The BLU-50 features BLU link, a low latency, fault tolerant digital audio bus of 48 channels, which uses standard Category 5e cabling giving a distance of 100 meter between compatible devices. Fiber media converters can be used to increase the distance between devices to over 10km (6.2 miles) using single mode fiber.
The BLU-50 can be configured, controlled and monitored from both the newly introduced HiQnet London Architect version 6.0 and HiQnet Audio Architect version 1.4, to be released soon, and is compatible with other members of the Soundweb London family. Its 48 channel BLU link bus represents channels 1-48 of the larger 256 channel BLU link bus when integrated with the BLU-800, BLU-320, BLU-160, BLU-120, BLU-BIB and BLU-BOB devices. Up to 60 BLU link compatible devices can share channels on a single bus.
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Zytronic and Infomatika Launch Information Terminals for Healthcare MarketTouch solutions company Zytronic has partnered with Infomatika to perform a large scale deployment of information terminals within the Moscow healthcare system. The new terminals are designed to allow patients to carry out various tasks themselves, such as visit registration, updating personal data or booking appointments at doctors’ surgeries and hospitals. Each unit has a large, portrait-mounted 23.6-inch touch-enabled display. Zytronic says that as a result of using the PCT screens, it was possible for Informatika to design the kiosks with smooth fronted fascias, free of bezels or frames. This not only accentuates the appearance of the terminals, but it also means that the screens are easy to regularly wipe clean, with no areas where dirt can be trapped — a crucial factor given the location of the kiosks in clinical environments. To date, 1,500 terminals have been installed in healthcare locations within Moscow’s metropolitan area, and further 700 terminals already installed for several other projects.
A custom ZYBRID touch sensor was developed for the patient kiosk. Infomatika was able to benefit from the high level of tuneable touch sensitivity offered by Zytronic’s technology to mount the screens to operate through a 6mm thick tempered overlay, thus creating the edge-to-edge flat fronted design as well as guarding against wear and tear. This helps to extend these kiosks’ operational lifespan and minimizes the likelihood of costly display replacement.
Zytronic’s touch sensors, thanks to the patented projected capacitive technology and manufacturing process, differentiate themselves from other touchscreen types in terms of their durability and form/factor flexibility. The basic PCT sensor structure consists of a matrix of micro-fine copper capacitors. The diameter of these capacitors is just 10µm, making them virtually invisible to the naked eye when viewed in a powered display. The sensor matrix is embedded into a laminated glass substrate of customer specified thickness, which (as in the case of the Informatika kiosk) can in turn be placed behind an additional glass or plastic overlay (>10 millimeters thick if necessary) to protect the sensor from all manner of physical harm, such as scratches, shocks, vibrations and extremes of temperature. As well as its high degree of robustness, PCT touch sensors can be designed to negate the need for a bezel surrounding the display. This means that attractive, flush-mounted, easy to clean touchscreen designs can be realized.
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Extron XTP Receiver with Extron Ships 90-Degree HDMI Wall Plate Receiver for Installation Behind Wall-Mounted Displays Extron is now shipping the XTP R HWP 201, a Decora-style wall plate receiver for XTP Systems. It features a unique design specifically to handle space constraints behind wall-mounted displays, with the HDMI output connector oriented upward at a 90-degree angle, in order to minimize stress on the cable and allow for a low-profile flat panel display installation. This HDCP-compliant receiver accepts signals from up to 330 feet (100 meters) away over a single shielded CATx cable and outputs video, audio, control and Ethernet to the display. It also provides HDMI audio de-embedding with analog stereo audio output and volume control. The receiver can be remotely powered by an XTP CrossPoint matrix switcher.
The XTP R HWP 201 supports video signals up to 1920×1200, including 1080p/60 Deep Color and 2K. In addition to HDMI video, it delivers embedded digital audio signals or can de-embed the audio for two-channel balanced/unbalanced analog stereo audio output. It also offers:
- EDID Minder for continuous EDID communication between devices;
- Key Minder that authenticates and maintains HDCP encryption for quick and reliable transmission,
- A cable tie-down point to for securing the HDMI connection,
- LAN and bidirectional control ports for the display
- RS232 and IR insertion ports on the front panel for bidirectional control
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Christie Joins HDBaseT Alliance, Intros HDBaseT-Enabled ProjectorsProjector manufacturer Christie has joined the HDBaseT Alliance, announcing that some of its projectors are now HDBaseT-certified. HDBaseT, powered by the Valens chipset, enables all-in-one connectivity between HD video sources and remote displays through a single 100m CAT5e/6 cable, delivering uncompressed high definition video, including 4K, audio, Ethernet, control signals and up to 100 watts of power.
The Christie Q Series 1-chip DLP platform — with brightness options ranging from 8,500 to 10,000 lumens and XGA, WXGA and WUXGA resolutions — is equipped with eClarity, which Christie says offers advanced image processing that enhances images by providing greater control over image sharpness, gloss and shading. With built-in High Dynamic Contrast Range (HDCR), image “washout” in high ambient light conditions is eliminated by adjusting the dynamic contrast to recapture detail lost by excess ambient light on the screen. The Christie Q series features HDBaseT Connectivity for simplifying installation and management by allowing for video content, audio and control to be delivered over low cost CAT5/6e cabling to HDBaseT compatible products. Christie Q Series is also equipped with DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) Simulation Mode for training purposes.
More specs on the Q Series are here.
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Aurora Multimedia Ships HDBaseT ReceiversAurora Multimedia is now shipping its DXE-CAT-RX3 series of HDBaseT receivers. There are four models all incorporating balanced analog stereo audio input and output with mixing capabilities, and dual relays for screen/lift control.
The DXE-CAT-RX3A model adds a 2×35-watt amplifier. Two additional models come complete with on-board IP/web based control (DXE-CAT-RX3-C and DXE-RX3A-C). The “C” versions include a stand-alone control system offering tablet integration and 1-RS232, 1-IR, 2-Relays, audio input mixing control and output level control. Built-in Web server features allow for non-platform specific web-control integration from iPad/Tablets and other web browsing devices.
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Arthur Holm Intros DYNAMIC1H Motorized Display SystemARTHUR HOLM is now shipping the Dynamic1H, a new, compact motorized solution in which the screen is always visible. Built in solid mechanized aluminum, this horizontal motorized system allows the screen to move from a flushed position in the desk surface up to 80 degrees.
Unique features include a memory system to recall the previous or favorite screen position and remote monitoring and control. The HD screen has an option for a multi-touch surface. The Dynamic1H offers two DVI inputs, HDCP compliance and RS422 I/O, directly addressable with a termination switch, allowing all the devices to be daisy chained with cabling distances of more than 500 meters.
Via AH-Net protocol, monitors can be grouped, with the control divided by zones. Connectivity is done through standard RJ45. Dynamic1H also provides a security system, which immediately stops the monitor movement in case of resistance detection. The Dynamic1H can be integrated into the same casing as the DynamicTalk retractable gooseneck microphone with a built-in camera.
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Liberty AV Adds 4K Compatible HDMI Matrix Switch Liberty AV Solutions is now shipping the DigitaLinx four-input, four-output HDMI matrix, DL-HDM44. The new DL-HDM44 features four HDMI inputs and four HDMI outputs, which supports Deep Color, full 3D and 4K video, and up to 7.1 multichannel audio to be routed to any output. The DL-HDM44 can be controlled via front panel buttons, front panel IR, external IR, RS232 or through a Web browser when the matrix is connected to a network. The matrix includes a simple IR remote control to allow IR switching. The EDID settings for the matrix, either 1080p with stereo audio or the EDID of the display on Output A, are toggled by a button on the front of the matrix.
The DL-HDM44 can be controlled via the front panel, local or remote infrared (IR), RS232 or via a Web browser. The DL-HDM44 takes up a single rack unit, saving valuable real estate in an equipment rack.
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Kramer Integrates Mass Notification & Emergency Communication System into ProScale Switchers Kramer’s new line of ProScale digital scaler/switchers, the VP-770, VP-771, VP-773, VP-774, VP-773AMP and VP-774AMP are all equipped with a unique built-in Mass Notification & Emergency Communication (MNEC) feature. In case you don’t know what that means, the feature provides the ability to have an education facility, corporate campus, or stadium-wide emergency notification immediately displayed on connected projection screens and monitors. When connected to a network, the Kramer ProScale digital scaler/switchers can be set up to automatically display an alert message. Notifications include flexible options such as the inclusion of an audio alert siren, and the choice of displaying either a text crawler or a text window. The system can even have the Kramer ProScale digital scaler/switchers power up displays that are off in order to display these important messages.
Messages with “Extreme” and “Severe” headers appear nearly full screen and cover any other content. Messages with lower levels of severity appear as text crawls along the bottom of the image. The new Kramer line of presentation switchers only requires an Ethernet connection to the appropriate campus network.
Emergency alert messages are composed and transmitted using the XML-based Common Alert Protocol (CAP) application. This allows a warning message to be consistently disseminated simultaneously over many warning systems to multiple proprietary applications and devices. These CAP alerts can include specifics about weather (hurricanes, flooding, storms, etc.), safety and security, as well as secondary functions, such as alert tones, horns, buzzers, and sirens.
The system complies with the official national warning system standard in the United States, the Emergency Alert System (EAS), which works in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a number of U.S. national emergency agencies.
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Extron Launches EQIP Program to Educate, Qualify Independent Programmers for Its Control SystemsExtron’s EQIP is a new program designed to provide additional configuration resources to customers deploying Extron control solutions. Extron Qualified Independent Programming (EQIP) companies are apparently carefully screened and selected by Extron to provide expert configuration support for Extron Control System projects — in a conference call I had with the company today, I was told that they even immerse the programmers in the Extron S3 (Service, Support & Solutions) philosophy as, for many users, this will be their primary personal interface with Extron.
The program is designed so that Extron customers and integrators may employ EQIP companies to augment their staff, execute projects, and provide options to configure more advanced AV systems. EQIP companies have access to a variety of Extron resources including web-based tools, continuing education, and control system training. This program is similar to those offered by AMX and Crestron in that they are designed to help customers find “qualified” programmers that can handle larger systems and they are vetted by each manufacturer for their quality, capabilities and training.As part of the EQIP qualification, Extron says that programmers will become ECP — Extron Control Professional-certified. ECP i designed to prepare individuals to successfully deploy and maintain customized AV control systems, configured with Extron’s Global Configurator Professional, and built around Extron’s recently-launched IP Link Pro Series and TouchLink Pro Series products.
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe ProAV Edition out there, hopefully you enjoyed another opinion-packed issue!
For those of you NEW to rAVe, you just read how we are — we are 100 percent opinionated. We not only report the news and new product stories of the ProAV industry, but we stuff the articles full of our opinions. That may include (but is not limited to) whether or not the product is even worth looking at, challenging the manufacturers on their specifications, calling a marketing-spec bluff and suggesting ways integrators market their products better. But, one thing is for sure, we are NOT a trade publication that gets paid for running editorial or product stories. Traditional trade publications get paid to run product stories — that’s why you see what you see in most of the pubs out there. We are different: we run what we want to run and NO ONE is going to pay us to write anything good (or bad).
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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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