Volume 5, Issue 5 — May 30, 2014
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Editorial Aeiforia Technos
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InfoComm: The Nuts and Bolts of Using WebRTC in Pro AV
By Tim Kridel Special to InfoComm International
WebRTC is one of the hottest topics in pro AV, with plenty of hand-wringing about whether it will commoditize video conferencing or grow the market by creating more endpoints that SIP and H.323 systems can connect to. Either way, it’s clear that there’s already enough customer interest that AV pros need to figure out how to support it.
“Everybody under the sun is asking about WebRTC these days, but the reality is that adoption is in the early stages,” says Ami Barzelay, Vidyo solutions architect, business development.
One fundamental difference between traditional SIP/H.323 video conferencing and WebRTC is that the latter uses a mesh architecture. That’s fine for one-on-one conferences, such as a financial advisor using WebRTC to provide white-glove service to a high-value client.
Mesh starts to cause problems when there are several participants because each one gets a separate video feed from everyone else. That adds up to a lot of bandwidth, which is an obvious problem on, say, a corporate LAN that’s already overloaded or when some participants are using mobile devices, where video can quickly drain a data bucket.
But mesh also shows how problems sometimes are opportunities. AV vendors and integrators can offer customers the option of using a traditional video conferencing bridge, which would collect the WebRTC participants’ feeds and send a single, consolidated stream down to each endpoint.
Some of those customers might already own a bridge. The integrator or vendor can add value in their eyes by showing how it can be extended to support WebRTC. Those that don’t own a bridge could be sold one, either as an on-premises solution or as a hosted service. Either way, mesh’s drawbacks are an example of why WebRTC won’t necessarily cannibalize sales of traditional video conferencing hardware, software and services.
“WebRTC is a subset of people who need to use video communications,” says Michal Raz, Vidyo vice president of business development. “There’s still going to be people with SIP, H.323 and other codecs.”
Some integrators agree.
“People will continue to buy Lync-optimized endpoints and 323/SIP endpoints, but a new market segment will likely emerge and begin to grow,” says Brad Johnston, Solutionz Conferencing COO.
Bridging the Differences
A bridge or some other piece of infrastructure also is required to connect one WebRTC user with another. Unlike traditional video conferencing systems, Lync or Skype, WebRTC―at least in its current form―doesn’t have address books, so users have no way of finding or connecting directly to one another. Something has to provide a meeting room for them to dial into or a way for others to dial out to them.
“You need some infrastructure to make it all work because people are going to meet somewhere,” says Simon Dudley, LifeSize video evangelist.
One example is LifeSize’s UVC suite, which includes a product that provides address books and recording for up to 25 concurrent WebRTC participants. Enterprises could install it on their own server in a VMware environment, or they could buy a standalone node.
“A lot of our resellers love selling a 1RU box,” Dudley says. “Now you can see why the video conferencing industry is excited by this. The number of people who can get involved goes through the roof. Instead of making money selling $100,000 meeting rooms, we start selling $20,000 pieces of infrastructure, but a lot more people get involved.”
Another way that AV pros can stay relevant in WebRTC is by helping customers overcome interoperability challenges.
“Not all WebRTC client implementations are going to be the same, so you want to look to the people who are already doing desktop video conferencing and [can] apply that knowledge to WebRTC.” Raz says. “One WebRTC client might not be able to talk to another WebRTC client because they use different signaling.”
WebRTC doesn’t require clients to use a specific type of signaling protocol, such as Jingle, because that would limit developers’ ability to innovate. When WebRTC is used for B2B or B2C communications, the enterprise’s session border controller (SBC) becomes a factor because they have their own protocols. So when helping a customer implement WebRTC, it’s important to see which protocols are used by its SBC vendor and its WebRTC client vendor.
“The integrator is going to have to follow whatever recommendations the vendor has,” Raz says.
One common issue with any standard is that if all vendors did was follow the standard, they wouldn’t have many market-differentiation opportunities aside from price. It’s possible that vendors will add more collaboration features to make their WebRTC solutions stand out from the pack. Whether that will create additional interoperability issues remains to be seen.
“The WebRTC standard itself is only going to be implemented by a limited number of vendors as it is a browser API and associated media plane functionality implemented in browsers,” says Andrew Hutton, chair of the International Multimedia Telecommunications Consortium’s WebRTC Interoperability Activity Group. “Therefore I don’t believe we will see the same type of proprietary extensions. The opportunities for differentiation come from building innovative applications based on the functionality provided by the browser, as we have seen with other Web technologies.”
Firewall Déjà Vu
WebRTC is the latest example of how AV, IT and telecom are converging.
“If integrators want to play in this space, they’re going to have to expand their knowledge base to the underlying network technologies, [such as] the firewall,” says Nick Hawkins, Polycom senior director of advanced technology for the APAC region. “There are technologies defined in WebRTC to enable firewall traversal — such as STUN, ICE and TURN — but they still need to be configured as part of the deployment.”
Years ago, firewalls were a challenge for traditional video conferencing systems until vendors developed traversal solutions. WebRTC benefits from that work.
“It was recognized as an issue due to all that past experience and addressed in the standard,” says Val Matula, Avaya Labs head of multimedia research. “The standard calls for a STUN TURN server to be positioned straddling a firewall or a network address translation (NAT) [node] inside and outside.
“It’s the function of the STUN TURN server to help negotiate a media path across a compliant firewall or border control device. Inside the browser, they specify that if you can’t make a direct connection, go back and ask the Web server where the STUN TURN server is that you [should] use to make the connection.”
If setting up the connection involves a straight shot through an SBC or firewall, the process takes only a second or two. If the STUN TURN server is involved, set up can take 5 to 15 seconds. To participants, that delay can be annoying or prompt them to try restarting the session.
The speed and latency of the network also affects the user experience. So like other examples of AV-IT convergence, WebRTC can mean that integrators will have to assess and upgrade the customer’s LAN, MAN or WAN — assuming that the IT department doesn’t want to take on that task.
“A ratty network is going to create a problem, as it does with all video,” says Solutionz’s Johnston. “You want to make sure you’ve got adequate bandwidth.”
If there isn’t, the user experience can suffer because WebRTC isn’t as flexible and forgiving as traditional video conferencing technologies.
“You get what you get on WebRTC,” Matula says. “[There’s] none of the sensing, auto adjusting and tradeoff between voice and video priority in terms of which packets are sent out. It assumes that you have a good enough channel to get the job done. If not, you’ll renegotiate the whole session down to a lower parameter.”
Are you already working with WebRTC? Not yet, but planning to? Share your experiences and questions with InfoComm’s LinkedIn Group, Facebook or Twitter (@InfoComm) communities.
This article was reprinted with permission from InfoComm International and originally appeared here. Leave a Comment
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Californians Can Be So Demanding
By Raymond Kent Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group
With it being a driver of a huge chunk of the U.S. economy, California is on target to lead the way in green construction with its revision to the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (known as Title 24 Energy Code). Being revised for the first time since 2008, the new standard (among other items) mandates that the design team completes a pre-construction building commissioning plan that includes all the systems for potential energy use within the building including lighting, HVAC and Information Communications Technology (ICT). This mandate goes into effect June 1, 2014 and is meant to support a holistic approach to energy efficient design by using energy modeling tools and smart design solutions such as having each system separately metered to be able to determine real time loads by system and building automation strategies for controllability.
Building automation systems are the method of choice when it comes to solving the complex nature of energy control and allow the design team to use specific metrics based on the technologies employed to give the best picture of potential energy use and demand response strategies. For example, one of the biggest hurdles to the statewide code is in controllability of lighting. The 2013 Title 24 standard requires smart controls that have the ability to be scheduled and utilize timing features to turn lights off when not in use such as during daylight hours. The code also requires that all buildings become “solar-ready” with anchorage points for PV panels and raceways for power and control cables.
While lighting takes the prize for the majority of changes to the code, plug-load circuit controls are also included in the revisions. This section of the revised code (Section 130.5(d)1) requires automatic shut off controls on all electric circuits that serve plug loads. This includes not only task lighting plugged into an outlet, but also audiovisual, computers and other devices that are prevalent in the workplace today. Where this will have the most impact is the continued roll out of the National Smart Grid, which will allow energy providers to throttle back and shed loads to meet demand based on real time metering. These will matter to the end user as the fastest growing demand in the built environment is plug loads mainly from technology devices including audiovisual, IT and other communications.
The good news is that with smart building controls, including plug load control, facilities managers can work with the public utilities to determine how best to meet any necessary reductions. California is primed for this with high energy demands and a serious power supply shortage as aging power generation plants go off line and new ones are slow to be approved, constructed and come on line.
All of these decisions were aided by the 2013 Integrated Energy Policy Report by the California Energy Commission. The report outlines California’s goal of codifying zero-net-energy new buildings by 2030 for commercial buildings and 202 for low-rise residential. This means it won’t be a choice but mandated if you want to build a new building in the state. Existing buildings will also be required to meet higher efficiency standards upon any renovation with continued additions in the 2016 and 2019 code development cycle.
Of course, the biggest hurdle will be the financing and tax offsets necessary to develop and implement the required changes. Having the current new code of pre-construction building commission planning provides the opportunity to develop solutions before any shovels hit the dirt. This is the second best opportunity to keep the financial impact low. The best opportunity is developing strategies at the start of design with input from all the stakeholders including the ICT industry and end users to help manage plug-load.
Demand response is going to be the single biggest driver in upcoming years as the time it takes to develop, get approval for and implement new power generation systems whether traditional such as oil, gas and nuclear or sustainable such as wave generation, solar, and wind. The new Title 24 Code aligns closely with the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) and its mandates for plug load power management. The only attainable track until new power is created is to rely on smart demand response methods.
The Energy Commission has outlined its top five strategies for helping California manage the demand loading order of preferred resources. From the report these include:
- “Establishing rules for direct participation of demand response in California Independent System Operators (ISO) markets.”
- “Develop and pilot testing additional market products to identify the most promising program and tariff approaches and develop a multi-year, forward auction mechanism to target demand response in capacity restrained areas.”
- “Resolving regulatory barriers for the development and implementation of a multi-year reliability framework that accounts for customers attributes and the type of load reductions they can provide.”
- “Continuing the collaborative process among the Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California ISO, the Governor’s Office to advance fast response remand response, develop a joint work plan, and advance forecasting accuracy.”
- “Advancing Customer Acceptance of demand response, informed by an independent assessment of potential customer participation in a range of targeted demand response programs, communication strategies and evaluation reports, and communication lessons learned by early 2014.”
These strategies work to help meet the demand California expects to have based on the most recent Energy Commission’s 10-year energy demand forecast. The state updates this report every two years and is used in many applications including how California is going to procure and transmit electricity throughout the state. The California Energy Demand Final Forecast 2014-2024 looks at low to high demand scenarios that reflect different assumptions about economic growth and populations. This is in conjunction with current energy use trends such as higher electric vehicle penetration and denser technology use such as smart phones, tablets and data centers along with climate predictions and electricity prices. Even though the report indicated a relatively flat growth between 2012-2024, the degradation of current infrastructure puts undue burden on the system resulting in the need to manage power demand driving the revisions to Title 24.
So what does this mean for the rest of the country? Well since California has such an impact on the Nation’s GDP and contains a large portion of the country’s population, it will not take much to have other states follow suit if they haven’t already. This includes those already adopting the IGCC as an overlay code to their current building code mandates. The real opportunity here is with the Information Communications Technologies industry in working with design partners to continue to develop smart building solutions to help shed the plug load when demand response off-loading is required in an intelligent way rather than letting the PUC decide what gets turned off. It could be your clients’ projector during their important presentation. Then we would see who is really demanding. Leave a Comment
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FSR Debuts Two HDMI AccessoriesFSR just introduced two new HDMI adapters — the DV-HAS (HDMI audio separator) and the DV-PC2HD (analog PC to HDMI converter).
The DV-HAS is designed to de-embed the stereo audio from an HDMI signal and provide a separate unbalanced line level stereo audio output so that it can be fed to an external sound processor, audio amp, mixers or house sound systems. The DV-HAS is HDCP-compliant and includes a button that when pressed, activates an EDID learning function to easily handle non-standard displays. The video is passed through and can handle resolutions up to 1920×1200 at 60hz.
The DV-PC2HD is an HDMI converter for analog PC signals and stereo audio to HDMI. The signal resolution at the HDMI output is dependent on the analog PC inputs resolution (it’s not a scaler) so it maintains resolution from the analog to digital conversion — it is not HDCP compliant.
You can find the V-HAS here and the DV-PC2HD here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Global Configurator Professional Software for Control Systems is ReadyExtron has launched its Global Configurator Professional software for control systems and applications that range in scope from single projector classrooms to large and elaborate control system designs. It features conditional logic, variables and macros. The Controller Groups feature expands AV system design potential for much larger systems requiring multipleIP Link Pro control processors.
Global Configurator has two modes. Global Configurator Plus is designed for smaller scale applications requiring one control processor and one control interface, and is already available for download by customers with Extron Insider access. Global Configurator Professional duplicates all of the powerful features within Global Configurator Plus but is suited for applications requiring multiple control processors, enhanced functionality and advanced configuration. Access to Global Configurator Professional requires Extron Control Professional – ECP certification.
Here are all the details on the new software. Leave a Comment
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Kramer Purchases 50 Percent Stake in WOW Vision Kramer announced today that it has acquired 50 percent of WOW Vision, a Singapore-based manufacturer of wireless and collaboration products for the corporate, hospitality meeting spaces and education markets. Its products enable wireless connection to, and the sharing of, large screen displays from laptops and mobile devices, offering efficient two-way collaboration.
rAVe founder Gary Kayye says, “This investment into WOW Vision instantly puts Kramer into the wireless collaboration business head-on with Barco’s ClickShare and Christie’ Brio as well as with systems OEM systems from AMX and Crestron that are wireless room systems. This is a good investment for Kramer. The WOW Vision Collab8 is probably the most powerful systems-oriented wireless room system on the market. I suspect you’ll soon see smaller, easier-to-use versions come from this Kramer/WowVision marriage.”
Kramer will now be responsible for worldwide branding and distribution of Wow Vision’s products, though Wow Vision will continue to conceive and develop industry products.
Bill Mullin, president of Starin, WOW Vision’s current distributor says, “As the current WOW Vision distributor, Starin views this as a very positive move. This will validate WOW Vision’s advanced collaboration solution, Collab8, by having a world-wide significant name in AV behind it. This will facilitate growth for development, as well as reaching market potential. What our current channel partners know as a true ahead-of the-curve platform will be assured of greater capabilities. Starin has an excellent relationship already with Kramer and there are talks with management for a highly coordinated and effective go-to-market that will help new and existing resellers reach greater income and profits with the tools to satisfy customers.”
Kramer will be launching its first two products as part of the new venture at InfoComm next month in Las Vegas — the Kramer VIA Collage and the Kramer VIA Connect.
The BYOD oriented Kramer VIA Collage can do all of the following:
- wirelessly allow up to six participants to show their screens on one display, with the possibility of using two displays and allowing up to twelve participants to be simultaneously displayed;
- allows collaboration from any mix of devices — PCs, Macs, tablets, smart phones and so forth;
- enables meeting participants to simultaneously create and edit a common document through their individual device;
- provides the ability for documents to be shared and saved instantaneously by all team participants utilizing the VIA Collage;
- through its interactive whiteboard function, offers multiple users the ability to annotate, edit or highlight any image on the screen via their touch enabled device;
The compact VIA Connect is a wireless presentation hub that provides quick and easy wireless connection to, and sharing of, a large screen device by several users. Multiple meeting participants can display their images, or at any time one individual presenter can easily choose to have their device be the only image displayed. As with the VIA Collage, the VIA Connect can accommodate any PC, Mac, iOS or Android device.
Kramer is here and WOWVision is here. More information on the VIA Connect and VIA Collage should be here on Kramer’s new products page soon.
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wePRESENT Debuts Wireless PresenterThe newest from wePRESENT is a wireless presentation system that’s capable of sending wireless video and audio from Android or iOS mobile devices, as well as PC or Mac computers in resolutions up to 1920x1080p.
Basically, the wePresent technology acts as its own wireless access point, so participants can log in to the system wirelessly, then broadcast from their mobile devices or PCs. This system is nowhere near as sophisticated or systems oriented as the Barco ClickShare or the Christie Brio, but for one-off presentations, it works. However, it does require apps or software drivers.
The wePresent system does allow for a live video feed from a connected camera to be displayed alongside the presentation, so the viewers can see the presenter side-by-side with the presentation. Up to four participants can share the screen, so four different people can display their documents on screen simultaneously.
In addition to the Windows and Mac client software, the wePresent system works with the MirrorOp Presenter app on iOS devices and the Sender for Galaxy app on Android.
Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Elite Screens Intros Tab-Tensioned Version of Starling SeriesElite Screens last month released the Starling Series, an entry-level line of motorized projection screens. Now it has released the Starling Tension, a line of tab-tensioned front projection motorized screens.
The Starling tension uses Elite’s Spectra White FG matte white surface screen material. Other specs include:
- 1.1 Gain with 160° viewing angle
- 4K Ultra HD Ready
- Standard black masking borders and black backing
- Diagonal sizes include 100″, 120″, 135″, and 150″ in 16:9 HDTV format
- Extra top black masking border for high ceiling installation
The Starling electric projection screen ships fully assembled with integrated control buttons on the end-cap. It also offers a set of IR and RF remotes, a 12-volt trigger and RS232.
Complete specs are here. Leave a Comment
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HARMAN’s JBL Professional Enters Paging Horn Market with CSS-H15 and CSS-H30 Models HARMAN’s JBL Professional has launched its new CSS-H15 (15-watt) and CSS-H30 (30-watt) paging horns — the first products from JBL specifically designed for the commercial sound paging horn market.
Constructed of ABS with corrosion‐resistant all-stainless-steel mounting bracket and hardware, both models include a built‐in UL registered multi‐tap transformer (15‐watt for the H15, 30‐watt for the H30) for use with 70V and 100V distributed speaker lines, with a screwdriver adjustable tap switch, and a bypass position for direct 8-ohm operation.
The CSS-H paging horns further expand JBL Professional’s CSS Commercial Solutions Speakers, adding to the collection that already includes CSS-8000 Series ceiling speakers, CSS-1S/T surface-mount speaker, and the JBL Commercial-branded CSM mixers, CSR remotes, CSPM paging microphones, CSA amplifier, the new CSMA mixer-amplifiers and other products that are all designed for the needs of a wide range of commercial applications.
The JBL CSS-H paging horns are also highly weather-resistant (IP-65 rated) for outdoor applications and are rated for 100-hour continuous full-power test.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Pakedge Debuts Replacement for K6x Router in K60D routerPakedge Device & Software has announced that its K6x routers have reached End of Life (EOL) status and will be replaced with the K60D series, based on the K60D Enterprise-Class Router. According to Pakedge, these new kits provide increased internal networking speed, throughput, and boast a session-count of up to 500,000 simultaneous sessions — allowing an unprecedented number of applications to run on a network.
Pakedge will continue to provide lifetime technical support for legacy K6x router kits. K6x units requiring replacement service during the warranty period will be replaced with the corresponding K60Dx unit. Pakedge technical support is available for those moving to the K60Dx routers, including assistance with updating previous router configuration files.
Each K60D router kit offers optional UTM provided by Fortinet, allowing an enhanced firewall with Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Application Control, Web Filtering, VPN, anti-spam and anti-virus — all directly at the gateway, ensuring that infected traffic can never access sensitive data on your network. K60D router kits integrate seamlessly with the BakPak, Pakedge’s cloud-integrated mobile and Web app.
Pakedge K60D router kits are available in the following configurations:
- K60D/K60DU: Gigabit Preconfigured Router with 10 ports
- K60D-S8Mpd/R60DU-S8Mpd: Preconfigured K60D with 8-Port Gigabit Managed Switch
- K60D-S8Hav/R60DU-S8Hav: Preconfigured K60D with 8-Port Gigabit PoE/PoE+ Managed Switch
- K60D-S24P8av/R60DU-S24P8av: Preconfigured K60D with 24-Port Gigabit Managed Switch with 8 Ports PoE
- K60D-S24P16av/R60DU-S24P16av: Preconfigured K60D with 24-Port Gigabit Managed Switch with 16 Ports PoE
- K60D-S24Pav/R60DU-S24Pav: Preconfigured K60D with 24-Port Gigabit PoE Managed Switch
- K60D-S24Hav/R60DU-S24Hav: Preconfigured K60D with 24-Port Gigabit PoE/PoE+ Managed Switch
- K60D-S24F/R60DU-S24F: Preconfigured K60D with 24-Port Gigabit Front-Facing Managed Switch
- K60D-S24HF/R60DU-S24HF: Preconfigured K60D with 24-Port Gigabit PoE/PoE+ Front-Facing Managed Switch
- K60D-S24av/R60DU-S24av: Preconfigured K60D with 24-Port Gigabit Managed Switch
The K60D Router Kit features:
- Preconfigured for small business and residential installations without the complexity of enterprise configurations
- Predefined basic and advanced settings with Pakedge support.
- A/V rack mountable, Fits standard 19” 1U slot. Kits will vary from 1U to 2U depending on switch selection
- Dual WAN ports for redundant Internet connections deliver higher availability and switch over to the other connection when the first one fails
- Multiple VPN tunnels
- 7 Gigabit internal switch ports
- Dedicated DMZ port
- Single USB port that allows you to connect a compatible third-party 3G/4G USB modem, providing additional WAN connectivity or a redundant link for maximum reliability
- Secure guest and employee network
- Pakedge VLAN technology compartmentalizes traffic into user specified subnetworks to reduce resource conflicts, simplify traffic management, support multiple diverse devices with no loss in performance
See all the specs here. Leave a Comment
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Wi-Fi On the SeaIf you do any marine business at all, you realize one modern problem of yacht owners is how to stay connected with the Internet. The tragic disappearance of Malaysian Airlines flight MH-370 underlined for the public that there are still places on the high seas that are unreachable by what we think is our ubiquitous communications technology.
That’s where Zinwave Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) technology comes in. The company’s in-building wireless DAS also provides ubiquitous wireless coverage for super yachts, commercial vessels and cruise liners — and is already bring deployed by a number of ship building yards in the UK and Europe.
That’s right — Zinwave’s “in-building” wireless designed to solve connectivity issues inside the four walls of buildings is now on the horizon for many lovers of the open, fresh air of the high seas.
Most cruise liners, super yachts and commercial vessels have a limited onboard network infrastructure. Communication via satellite phone or laptop is no longer sufficient to meet passenger and crew demand for high speed access to voice and data services.
Reliable coverage is difficult to achieve because the metal structure of most maritime vessels blocks RF transmission, particularly on lower decks. In order to overcome these issues, not only do captains/boat owners require an onboard GSM network that supports international spectrums, they also need an effective means of amplifying RF signals to ensure optimal coverage in all areas.
Zinwave’s in-building active DAS is a solution because of its ability to do this cost effectively. Zinwave’s primary hub connects to the onboard base station or repeater, its secondary hub is used to distribute the required services (which can be changed depending on location or licensing agreements) and its remote antennas are discretely installed throughout the vessel to provide optimal coverage.
Zinwave’s wideband active DAS is frequency-agnostic and supports multiple services and frequencies between 150 MHz and 2700 MHz, regardless of modulation scheme or protocol. It is the only system globally, says the maker, that is capable of supporting commercial cellular services, public safety services, Wi-Fi services and private radio services, such as onboard walkie-talkie systems, on a single hardware layer.
It also eliminates the need for expensive infrastructure or hardware upgrades to accommodate new services, such as 4G LTE, as they become available, delivering the lowest total cost of ownership per installation and offering rapid ROI. With a portfolio of installations, Zinwave’s technology also serves other markets including hospitality, utilities, corporate enterprises, healthcare and public venues.
More information on the company’s marine applications is here.
This article originally appeared in rAVe Europe. Leave a Comment
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New Company: ZOOM Debuts Cloud-Based Video Collaboration Into Conference Rooms Zoom hopes to transformation of room-based conferencing with the launch of ZoomPresence. ZoomPresence is the Zoom application that runs on a Mac Mini with touchscreen functionality, and claims to offer five things:
- Easy set up — Zoom can be set up within minutes by connecting your HD camera, touchscreen and monitor(s) to a Mac mini; then load the Zoom application.
- Integrated solution — Zoom integrates with your Google or Outlook calendar so you can instantly host or schedule a meeting from your browser. With ZoomPresence, see your schedule of upcoming meetings and start your meeting with a single touch.
- Flexible meetings — Up to 100 interactive video participants and 1,000 webinar viewers can join your ZoomPresence meeting. Unlike other platforms, ZoomPresence is an all-in-one solution so participants can join from their desktops, laptops, mobile devices, telephones, traditional room systems and other ZoomPresence systems.
- Fits any room — ZoomPresence is the only solution that fits any conference room — small with one HD screen, medium with two HD screens or large with three HD screens.
- Content sharing — ZoomPresence allows you to collaborate by sharing desktop and mobile content over Wi-Fi or by direct HDMI connection. It is also the first platform that can share client-side streaming video with audio.
This will be interesting to watch — certainly there’s a movement afoot to move from codec-based VTC systems to cloud-based one’s and this one is $999. Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships Two Channel Balanced and Unbalanced Audio Converter Extron’s BUC 202 is now shipping. The two-channel audio converter and audio line driver features two balanced or unbalanced inputs and outputs, both on captive screw connectors. The BUC 202 provides two independent channels of signal matching between unbalanced and balanced audio equipment. Two rotary switches provide trim adjustment from -21 to +21 dB in clearly-labeled 3 dB steps. In addition to serving as an interface from consumer products to professional AV systems, the BUC 202 is what Extron says is a high-quality line driver for sending and receiving audio signals up to 1,000 feet (300 meters). The 1U, quarter rack width enclosure, together with the included patented ZipClip 200 mounting bracket, allows integrators to install the BUC 202 in locations such as on a rack rail, beneath a table or within a lectern.
The BUC 202 is ideal for typical applications where a laptop is connected at the lectern and the audio needs to reach a remote equipment rack. The BUC 202 can be easily hidden by mounting the ZipClip 200 to any surface inside the lectern, while the unique form factor of the audio converter allows installers to snap it securely onto the mount. Detented level controls on the BUC 202 enable precise source input matching and gain structure.
To watch a product introduction video, click here. Leave a Comment
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Analog Way Adds 4K to LiveCore Series of AV Switchers Analog Way is adding 4K resolution to its LiveCore series of AV switchers and will debut at InfoComm next month the Ascender 48-4K. Analog Way will add to the LiveCore series two new connectors: HDMI 1.4b and DVI 4K. Three HDMI 4K inputs and two DVI 4K outputs will be available on the SmartMatriX Ultra, Ascender 32 and Ascender 48. The NeXtage 16 will come with two HDMI 4K inputs and a DVI 4K output.
Several frame rates are available as 4K/30P 4:4:4, 4K/60P 4:2:0 or 4K/60P 4:4:4 according to the reference. The LiveCore series supports 3840×2160 (UHD) and 4096×2160 resolutions (native resolution for DCI-compliant 4K). The option will be available for systems already in the field.
Analog Way says the LiveCore series offers the ability to perfectly switch a 4K native background or 4K layers. When one output is disabled, its layers can be added to another output, resulting in up to 12 true seamless layers per output in 2K, or 6 layers in 4K.
The Ascender 48-4K isn’t on Analog Way’s website yet, but will be here when it is. Leave a Comment
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AFlex5D Launches 40-Series Processors with Edge Blending and 3D Aflex5D is introducing the 40-Series of stacking processors with edge blending and 3D capabilities. This allows integrators to combine high-brightness projectors in order to create a video wall or seamless “side-by-side” imagine.
The AF5D-40 and AF5D-41 processors stacks and blends projectors using the company’s Q-Stack technology, which Aflex5D says eliminates the need for cameras or other hardware. Offering geometric correction, the processors can be used, for example, for digital signage applications in various formats, with irregular shapes or curved or domed screens. The Airflex5D-40 and 41 series supports both Circular and Linear Polarized Passive 3D Stereoscopic imaging.
Projector stacking applications such as this one allow integrators to save clients money by combining multiple, less-expensive projectors to create a high brightness application without the expense of a single, high-brightness projector — for example, using four 3,000-lumen projectors rather than a single 12,000-lumen projector.
The AF5D-40 sells for $2,899, while the AF5D-41, which adds video wall capabilities, sells for $3,999. More information is here. Leave a Comment
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HARMAN’s Crown Intros DCi Network Display Amplifiers With Front Panel Display and AVB HARMAN’s Crown Audio is expanding its DriveCore Install (DCi) Series amplifier range with the introduction of its DCi Network Display 8|600ND and 4|1250ND power amplifiers. These amplifiers feature front-panel status displays and AVB (Audio Video Bridging) connectivity. The new eight- and four-channel DCi Network Display amplifiers will actually be the first professional audio amplifier to be certified by the AVnu Alliance.
Both DCi Network Display amplifiers feature a front-panel display and LEDs and a large multifunction knob and push buttons enable instant access to control functions. The amplifiers are compatible with HARMAN’s HiQnet Audio Architect system setup and control software and utilize TCP/IP-based protocol in HiQnet for network monitoring and control.
The eight-channel DCi 8|600ND is spec’d at 600 watts into 8 ohms (300, 600 and 300W into 16, 4 and 2 ohms) and the four-channel DCi 4|1250ND provides 1250W into 8, 4 or 2 ohms (625W into 16 ohms). Both amplifiers offer direct drive “constant voltage” capabilities for 70Vrms and 100Vrms amplification without the need for a step-up transformer, yielding higher audio quality in distributed audio applications with power outputs of 1250W and 600W respectively.
Like all Crown DCi Series amplifiers, the DCi 8|600ND and DCi 4|1250ND utilize HARMAN’s proprietary DriveCore (Class D) amplifier IC chip for efficient operation from a compact form factor measuring just 2 RU high. The DriveCore chip combines the amplifier driver stage into the power output stage along with additional audio-signal functions, yet is about the size of a postage stamp.
Both amplifiers provide a host of networking and control features including continuous load monitoring, error reporting, pilot tone monitoring and programmable general purpose input/output (GPIO) ports. The DCi 8|600ND and DCi 4|1250ND offer extensive DSP capabilities such as LevelMAX limiters for the inputs and outputs, with thermal limiting, input and output delay, input and output EQ, built-in crossovers and a built-in signal generator.
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Revolabs Ships Executive Elite Wireless Microphone Systems Revolabs is now shipping its Executive Elite four- and eight-channel wireless microphone systems that use a new distributed architecture. Featuring AES-256 encryption with dynamic key updates every three minutes, Revolabs’ Executive Elite includes all connections types: AVB, analog and USB. And the system’s distributed architecture allows the remote antenna receiver and base units to connect via a standard Cat6 cable with power over Ethernet (PoE) support — allowing the remote antenna receiver to be placed in the same room as wireless microphones to improve wireless connectivity and simplify setups.
And, new for Revolabs, the Executive Elite adds a gooseneck mic to the omnidirectional and directional tabletop series, wearable microphones, and XLR/mini-XLR adapters and the microphones are spec’d to allow up to 20 hours of talk time and 72 standby hours, even with receivers up to 300 feet away.
For larger applications than the system’s standard four or eight microphone channels, multiple Executive Elite receivers can be linked to utilize up to 44 (Americas) or 76 (rest-of-world) microphones in a single room. Administrators can monitor and control all microphones via USB, RS232 or Ethernet interfaces locally, or use a new cloud-based management environment for remote command and control capabilities including third-party managed installations.
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Biamp Acquires Dev-Audio Biamp Systems announced this week the acquisition of Dev-Audio, a developer of advanced microphone processing technologies, as well as the Microcone. Microcone and its associated software application, Microcone Recorder, are conferencing products that actively track and enhance voice quality, adaptively reduce background noise and record directly to any computer.
Using a high-quality beamformed microphone array designed specifically for group settings, Microcone actively locates voices and simultaneously reduces background noise, resulting in what Dev-Audio says is exceptionally clear audio for a wide variety of applications.
Iain McCowan, founder and managing director of Dev-Audio, has extensive experience in microphone array technology and will join Biamp as a DSP engineer.
More information on Biamp is here. Dev-Audio is here. Leave a Comment
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Extron Adds Compact Two Channel Amplifiers for High Impedance SystemsExtron has introduced the Extron XTRA Series XPA 1002-70V and XPA 1002-100V, half rack 1U, convection cooled power amplifiers delivering two channels of 100 watts rms for 70-volt and 100-volt distributed speakers. These professional grade amplifiers feature a 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio with 0.1 percent THD+N specifications.
Features include:
- ENERGY STAR qualification
- Advanced Class D amplifier design
- Patented CDRS – Class D Ripple Suppression
- 1U, half-rack width metal enclosures
- 2.5-pound weight
- Energy-efficient design generates little heat
- UL 2043 plenum rated when used with the optional Flexible Conduit Adapter Kit
They include an auto power-down feature that automatically places the amplifier into standby after a period of inactivity, and consumes just 10 watts when idle and less than 1 watt in standby mode. Extron says each amplifier also has an ultra low inrush current draw to prevent power circuit overload that occurs when multiple amplifiers are switched on simultaneously. This feature eliminates the need for power sequencing in systems with multiple amplifiers in large centralized equipment racks, and prevents other equipment from experiencing power interruption from associated power surges.
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Planar Rolls Out Clarity Matrix Video Wall Calculator Planar Systems has introduced the Clarity Matrix Video Wall Calculator, a free, online tool that they say simplifies the video wall selection process by simulating for users what their Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall will look like even before they make the purchase by enabling users to configure a LCD video wall for their project, preview it with their own content and download the results — complete with specification data, installation diagrams and custom renderings.
Clarity says the Matrix Calculator was built for Planar’s recent launch of the Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System. Users can compare different display models side-by-side on the same wall. They can also upload and preview their own content, while exporting detailed images, schematics and data straight into their sales proposal or project specification.
Features include the ability for users to:
- Create a graphical rendering of the video wall by choosing the model and orientation of the displays and entering the desired display configuration. The rendering can be previewed online or exported as an image to include in product proposals or to share with clients.
- Configure a room by defining the size of the room, choosing one of several custom room environments and selecting a wall color to customize the conceptual design.
- Visualize custom content by uploading their own image or video or selecting from a preset list of content options to make the video wall come to life.
- Compare models and configurations by selecting two models or display configurations and viewing a side-by-side comparison of specification data.
- Generate schematics by previewing a mechanical drawing of the mounting array for the video wall that shows dimensions, drill hole patterns and cable details that can be exported.
- Obtain a quote by clicking on a link directly from within the calculator.
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Smart-e Ships Modular 4K SplitterUK-based Smart-e’s new modular HDMI and HDBaseT splitter, the 4K-1:3, is now shipping. This splitter is able to transmit high resolution 4K HDMI signals to multiple displays. It features one selectable input, three selectable outputs and one fixed HDMI output.
The 4K-1:3 transmits video signals together with Ethernet, RS232 and IR over a single CAT6 cable (up to 100 meters) to three displays, and can be configured as a transmitter or receiver, offering the flexibility to re-purpose simply by swapping modules.
Multiple units can be cascaded together to a combined distance of 750 meters (five levels of CAT6 distribution). Infrared and RS232 control can be passed through to each display to allow for integrated control solutions and an external power supply provides inline power to the receiver units — not totally the way HDBaseT is supposed to work, however. The HDBaseT spec is supposed to allow power from one source to power the entire system — not requiring separate supplies.
Smart-e says each selectable output bay/slot can accept either a native HDMI module (4K-HDMI-I/O) allowing for local display connection without the need for a Cat6 receiver, or a Cat6 transmitter module (4K-HDBT-TXF) enabling remote screen connection up to 150 meters from the source.
The modules support full HDMI digital video and embedded audio, with compatibility for HD 720p, 1080p, Ultra HD 2K and 4K resolutions, together with pass-through support for EDID, HDCP, CEC and control protocols. Additionally, each bay allows for full duplex RS232, 100baseT Ethernet and reverse path IR.
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Peerless-AV Intros ADA-Compliant Video Wall Mount Peerless-AV has announced what it says is the world’s thinnest video wall mount — the SmartMount Slim Video Wall Mount (DS-VW755S). Measuring 1.87 inches, the SmartMount DS-VW755S when combined with ultra thin displays offers the ability to install a video wall system that protrudes no further than 4″ from the wall, making the solution ADA compliant.
The SmartMount Slim Video Wall Mount offers features including:
- The ability to seamlessly align displays without the use of tools
- Micro-adjustments that can be made at eight different points
- Reusable display-dedicated wall plate spacers
- A quick release function allowing easy access to displays in recessed applications
- The ability to be extended into a negative tilt position for ease of cabling
- A 20″x20″ footprint, allowing installation in either portrait or landscape mode
The SmartMount DS-VW755S will be available in June 2014 and also shown in the Peerless-AV booth (#C7918) at InfoComm in Las Vegas next month. This mount isn’t on Peerless-AV’s website yet, but will be here when it is. Leave a Comment
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Extron Ships Cable Cubby Series/2 Enclosures and Power Modules Extron is now shipping all four new Extron Cable Cubby Series/2 enclosures — the next generation of Cable Cubby cable access enclosures for AV connectivity and AC power. Cable Cubby Series/2 includes the compact Cable Cubby 500, the mid-size Cable Cubby 700, the slim, low profile Cable Cubby 1200 and the unique double-sided, Cable Cubby 1400. These modular enclosures claim to offer the AV industry’s broadest range of AV connectivity and AC power options, including Extron Retractor cable retraction modules, AAP — Architectural Adapter Plates and AV cables. AC and AC+USB power modules are available for the U.S., Europe and other major world markets. Cable Cubby Series/2 enclosures are available in a black anodized or brushed aluminum finish to blend in seamlessly with modern furniture and room decor.
All Cable Cubby Series/2 enclosures are designed for fast assembly and installation on the job site. An integrated clamp system secures the Cable Cubby Series/2 enclosures to the furniture surface and a patent-pending, modular design allows installation AV cables or AAPs from the top of the enclosure, after it’s installed. The Cable Pass-Through Plate features a split-ring design that facilitates cable installation while eliminating the need for separate cable grommets. The AAP Plate can be pre-populated and cabled before installation within the enclosure and most AC 100 Series Power Modules provide two unswitched AC outlets.
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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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