Welcome to another edition of rAVe ProAV Edition! If you're an integrator who provides control systems programming, do you know where your most threatening competition is coming from? I tell you in today's editorial. Join me at the Electrograph/NSCA Display Technology Experience in D.C. in October. You can read about it below and I hope to see you there! Enjoy the issue! –Gary Kayye, CTS
Back in 2004, Waveguide founder and principal, Scott Walker, told me, while sharing a cab at an InfoComm function, that he was going to add a new service to his repertoire: control system programming. I can't say that I was surprised. Scott's always been an innovator when it comes to adding services to his Atlanta-based design consulting firm and I think he saw it simply as an extension of is arsenal of services. So, why not? Now, four years later, I am sure the service has served him well and he's made a lot of money doing it as Waveguide is an incredibly well-respected design consulting firm whose reputation is better than ever and their time is not only demanded by clients but also by most major manufacturers who have figured out the value of design consultants in the professional AV industry. But, is it the right thing for the market? And, is it a potential conflict of interest? Clearly, we are primarily talking about Crestron and AMX programming when we speak about control system programming. Sure, there are a handful of other manufacturers out there that require sophisticated, educated, brilliant programmers out there to configure their systems, but we all know that over 90% of that super-high-end control system market is controlled by AMX and Crestron. And, to be clear, we're not talking about Extron, SP Controls, etc. as they have simpler systems that don't require weeks of programming classes to master. In the case of AMX and Crestron programming, we're talking about selling a service that includes not only the capability to design control systems that can, in fact, simplify the operation of a huge AV system, but also creating a user-interface experience that is sort of a walk-up-and-use experience. This required both technical expertise as well as user-interface design (i.e. graphical design) expertise. What Scott experienced was that in many cases, although an AV integrator could actually design a very sophisticated control system, they couldn't make it easy to figure out how to use. So, using a room, once it was installed, still required a training class for every single person who would ever interface with it. He saw an opportunity to program a system that had a user-interface that was easy enough to figure out just by looking at the touch-screen or keypad itself. And, instead of giving away that knowledge to the winning bidder of the system, why not sell it as part of the services you sell as your intellectual property? Well, I'm not going to actually take sides this issue, as I honestly don't care one way or another, as I am not an integrator or a design consultant. However, I am going to tell you integrators out there that you better step up to the plate and fix this hole quickly before this model is emulated. There is NO REASON AT ALL that you can't employ that expertise. Admittedly, very few programmers I have ever met have a clue about graphics design and aesthetics, but there's no reason that can't be either taught to them or augmented with a graphics design engineer working side-by-side with a programmer to simplify and streamline these programs. Some, so out of hand that even the manufacturers have given up fixing and have asked the dealer to start over. Reprinted with permission from Sound & Communications. Founded in 1955, Sound & Communications is the premiere magazine for AV systems integrators, contractors and consultants. To subscribe or read sample articles, go to http://www.soundandcommunications.com.
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A Gary Kayye Presentation, Free NSCA Learning Units, All in the Same Place! NSCA and Electrograph are teaming up on a one-day Display Technology Experience October 21 in Washington D.C. where you can hear Gary Kayye and other speakers and earn free Learning Units from NSCA! You can also explore the latest technologies from more than 30 manufacturers and talk with manufacturer representatives. For more information, and to register, go to http://www.electrographdte.com/
Register now for 3D Biz-Ex As you could tell at any of the recent trade shows, stereoscopic 3D is a hot topic of debate in theatrical and consumer electronics circles these days. If you want to learn more about the technical and business trends in 3D, see lots of 3D demonstrations, network with all the leading players, learn from tutorial short courses and participate in special 3D evening events, then this an event for you. 3D Biz-Ex is the largest 3D event in North America, encompassing all aspects of 3D content creation, distribution and display for consumer as well as professional applications. This year's event is expected to draw more than 300 people with up to 40 exhibitors running over three days . A fourth day will be devoted to the quarterly meeting for members of the 3D@Home consortium — so it's nearly a full week of focused 3D activities. 3D Biz-Ex is Monday, September 29, 2008 8:00 AM – Wednesday, October 1, 2008 5:00 PM at the Sheraton Universal City Hotel, Universal City, California. For more information and to register, go to http://www.3dbizex.com/
Click above for more information Extron Introduces RGB to DVI Scaler Extron has a new RGB to DVI scaler that converts incoming analog component video and RGBHV signals to DVI. The RGB-DVI 300 accepts HDTV and high resolution computer-video up to 1920×1200, and offers multiple, selectable DVI output rates up to 1920×1200, including HDTV 1080p/60. The RGB-DVI 300 is compact enough to be placed behind flat-panel displays. It is especially suited, says Extron, for applications where newer displays, equipped only with DVI or HDMI inputs, are to be used with sources that output analog RGB computer-video, or in an environment with an existing analog RGB signal distribution infrastructure. In addition to high performance scaling, Extron says they included several integrator-friendly features for speeding set-up and system operation. An on-screen display gives you data about incoming signal and adjustment of picture settings, including positioning, size, zoom, brightness, contrast, and detail. Internal test patterns are available for calibration and setup. Several memory presets are available to store and recall configuration settings using the front panel or through the RS-232 serial port. For more details, go to http://www.extron.com/ New Lockbox for DVRs From Video Mount Products Video Mount Products has a new lockbox specifically to protect DVRs from theft. The DVR-LB1 is vented and includes a fan for additional ventilation. It has an interlocking lift-off lid, and it has a key lock hinged front door. It measures 21 x 21 x 8. The DVR-LB1 ships October 1 with MSRP of $199.95. For more information, go to http://www.videomount.com/ Lencore Looks to Redefine Paging Systems Lencore is shipping Music Page Interface, which the company says is a very different type of paging distribution system. The MPI, says Lencore, replaces all the bulky head end equipment usually needed for music and paging systems. Instead, the company says the MPI requires no additional amplifiers, separate equalizers, special switching equipment or matching vendors for compatible product interfaces. Lencore also says it can make zone additions, modifications, deletions and other changes to the paging system on the fly. It also eliminates the need for running multiple home runs back to the electrical closet or through building risers to create separate or additional zones. When connected to the Lencore Spectra i.Net Sound Masking System, the MPI lets you program up to 99 individual zones for paging using standard DTMF tones through a single line telephone wire. The system is also programmed for all call and emergency broadcast paging. The system's one octave band equalizer can be adjusted to either individual zones or can be adjusted for all zones. It also provides fine tuning options. The company goes on to say that, when used with other pieces of Lencore equipment, programming can be set for up to 1.5 million square feet of space through a single device. Modifications are done through a web browser interface. For more details, go to http://www.lencore.com/news-files/MPI_Press_Release.pdf Sierra Video's Router Control Software TyLinx Pro is a new router control software for Sierra's line of video and audio routing switchers. This version allows you to provide unique profiles for each user, and Sierra added security features as well. TyLinx Pro uses a Windows-based GUI that allows users to virtually recreate their routing system on their computer desktops, defining sources and destinations, signal formats and cabling. The operating window, or “console player”, contains tabs that can be switched between Button Per Source and XY views of the routing switcher. TyLinx Pro supports multiple routing switchers, and the software automatically retrieves source and destination names from a router and identifies those sources and destinations to guide routing choices. For more details, go to http://www.sierravideo.com/en_news_2k8Sept02-1.html Click above for more information Bright New Ultra-Portable XGA Projector From Epson Epson just announced a small XGA projector with a small price tag to match. The EX100 3LCD projector is specified at 2700 lumens and 400:1 contrast ratio and can project an image up to 300 inches. The price? Just $999. This comes with instant on/off, 1.2x power zoom lens, an AV mute slide for when presenters need to pause the presentation, “Presenter View,” which allows the presenter to show a PowerPoint slideshow while simultaneously viewing presentation notes and operating buttons on the monitor out of view of the audience. The Epson EX100 projector is available now at retailers. For more on the EX100, go to http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63077160 DLP Shows Innovations at IFA rAVe Europe reports that DLP brought their latest innovations to IFA Berlin– including the industry's first lamp-free home theater projector, a 3D projector, projectors featuring filter-free designs, a pico-projector that fits in the palm of your hand and several other projector innovations. IFA press reacted most to the 1080p LED-based, 700-lumen home theater projector to be built by Delta in Taiwan and to be sold by Optoma, Vivitek and others. We could tell you about it, but DLP has already done a great job by uploading videos (in separate English, French and German versions) to tell you all about it. To see the DLP IFA video, go to http://www.dlp.com/landing_pages/ifa2008.aspx
Here's a Projector Innovation — Put a Handle on it! Vivitek came up with a “handy” idea. The company is shipping its new D732MX projector, a portable projector with a built-in carrying handle. This is a DLP projector that weighs 7.3 pounds and is specified at XGA resolution, 3200 ANSI lumens and 2100:1 contrast ratio. It has fast on and instant off, includes RS-232C and has onboard vertical digital keystone correction. MSRP is $1,249. For more information, go to http://www.vivitekcorp.com/d732mx.php Barco Develops Two-Projector, 10-Megapixel 3D Stereo System Barco announced the company developed a 10-megapixel setup in passive 3D stereo. Barco says the company optimized the LX-5, a LCoS 10-megapixel projector introduced in 2007, for the passive 3D setup. The setup is called CADWall, a multi-projector display system with a high pixel density, a superflat high-contrast screen, mechanics, and display management hardware and software. Barco claims that requiring only two channels to create a 10 megapixel 3D stereo image is a breakthrough. The passive 3D stereo CADWall setup with two Barco LX-5 projectors debuted at Tokyo's Industrial Virtual Reality show. For more information, go to http://www.barco.com/corporate/en/pressreleases/show.asp?index=2140 Toshiba Introduces Two XGA Projectors, One With Closed Captioning Toshiba has a small new projector designed for portability that also delivers closed captioning. The TLP-X100U 3LCD projector weighs just four pounds and stands less than three inches tall. It is specified at XGA resolution, 2200 ANSI lumens, 600:1 contrast ratio and project an image as large as 300 inches. It includes Blackboard function for adjusting the color for a number of different colored walls, automatic vertical keystone correction, and digital zoom. MSRP is $839. For more information, go to http://explore.toshiba.com/projectors/mobile/tlp-x100u The other new Toshiba projector, the TLP-XE30U, is also a 3LCD XGA model, but specified a little brighter at 3000 ANSI lumens, and with 600:1 contrast ratio. It can also project up to 300 inches. This one has an MSRP of $1,119. For more information, go to http://explore.toshiba.com/projectors/mobile/TLP-XE30U
Revolabs Adds to Mic Systems Revolabs announced two new microphone products — a directional RF Armor Wireless Microphone, and the Tabletop Dialer for the Fusion WIreless Microphone System. Revolabs is also introducing a wireless RF remote control for the Fusion Wireless Microphone System with touchpad and digital display and stored memory for quick dialing. The Tabletop Dialer is an upgrade to the IR remote control that ships with the Fusion Systems.
HaiVision, Video Furnace Partner to Deliver H.264 HD IPTV and IP Video Solutions HaiVision, known for its video encoding, and Video Furnace, a global provider of enterprise-class IP video solutions, announced a partnership to deliver video-over-IP quality and IPTV high-definition solutions for a wide range of markets, including enterprise, education and government. The agreement includes cooperative technical development, integrated systems propositions and joint marketing efforts. The partnership will enable the companies' global network of integrators, resellers and partners to deliver video over IP across North America and Europe. The Video Furnace control and distribution systems and set-top boxes immediately support HaiVision's high-definition H.264 MAKO-HD encoding technology at HD 1080i resolution. The company says the MAKO-HD supports guaranteed frame rate performance of top-quality H.264 encoding at up to 1080p resolution and at the lowest latency available. Additional integration will be available in the near future, including the ability to store and manage high-definition video libraries and to deliver video via Video Furnace's inStream Viewer, which does not require any resident player software or browser plug-ins. The companies say the current combined HaiVision and Video Furnace solution is especially suited to live, high-definition content scheduling, management and distribution for HD signage and video over IP applications, and provides centralized management and control. For more information, go to http://www.haivision.com Electrograph Debuts New Models of RevolutionHD Series Electrograph brought new models of its own brand of displays, RevolutionHD, to CEDIA. The new RevolutionHD line comes in 32”, 37”, 42” and 47” sizes. The 42” and 47” models offer 1080p, and the entire line now comes standard with built-in speakers. These are specifically designed for custom installation, with a variety of connectivity options, including PC compatibility and RS-232, along with multiple HDMI, component and composite. The next generation of RevolutionHD LCD displays will be available in Q4 2008. The entire RevolutionHD Series is available with a one-year “on-site” warranty program. For more information, go to http://www.electrograph.com/ New Portable DVR From Fast Forward Fast Forward has a new drop-in replacement for tape-based recording devices. The NDT 200 is a new version of the company's portable DVR and they say this one was made with an improved design, greater tolerance to shock and vibration and an improved user interface. The NDT200 easily fits into the same footprint as a Sony Video Walkman and records onto a 2.5-inch removable hard drive. It is designed for high-quality video recording in remote locations and specifically designed for freelance producers, outdoor broadcasters, video-assist operators, surveillance and security organizations, video analysts, emergency "first-response" teams, law enforcement, government, and military agencies. Fast Forward says they designed the touch-pad user interface and large push button controls to make it easy to use. And all functions can be controlled via the touch-pad, soft buttons, and LCD panel on top of the unit or from an external PC or VTR controller. Video clips can be recorded in QuickTime format for playback on a PC or Mac or as FFV secure video files. They then can be downloaded to PC or Mac systems via the onboard USB 2.0 port or through the removal of the hard drive and the insertion of the drive into an equipped PC or Mac. The NDT 200's standard features include selectable compression ratios (from 4:1 to 30:1), dual-channel audio, character displays, jog scan and scrub features, as well as analog composite and S-Video (Y/C) inputs and outputs. With additional upgrades such as external trigger inputs, time-date stamp, time-lapse recording, and loop and pre-event recording, the NDT 200 is a powerhouse of a DVR. The recorder's internal digital specification is full-frame, full-motion CCIR-601 with a color space of 4:2:2. External control is available through optional machine control software, and the recorder may be powered through an external low-voltage DC input. This is shipping now and pricing is available from FFV distributors. For more information, go to http://www.ffv.com/releases/060831.htm Teq Digital's HD Digital Signage Player Teq Digital introduced the VPH150, a high definition player that the company will match the native resolution of the LCD, plasma or projector for portrait or landscape 16:9 signage. You can install one of multiple players and control them either as standalone devices or over the network. You can choose to show media, videos, webpage, slideshows, images and scrolling text message from RSS or XML feed in single screen with LIVE TV. Also, it can be mounted behind the display, in a rack or closet and can be used networked or wireless. For more information, go to http://teqavit.net/newsletter_4th_september.html Celebrate AV Week October 19-25, 2008 News from InfoComm: Share your enthusiasm for AV in 2008. Plan an event and reach out to your community during AV Week. Read about last year's successful events including open houses, student tours, trade shows and architect lunch and learns in the U.S. and Canada. AV Week is approaching and InfoComm International wants to help you, the AV professional, stage events and activities to educate clients and users about the benefits of AV in business, education, government, healthcare, worship and more. Visit www.AVWeek.org for everything you need to promote and host an AV Week event. Also be sure to visit the NEW AV Week Store. No matter what type of event you have, AV Week merchandise makes for great give-a-ways, prizes and more! For more information, go to http://www.avweek.org/
Well, that's it for this edition of rAVe! Thank you for spending time with me as we muse the industry's happenings. To continue getting my newsletter, or to sign up a friend, click the link below. To send me feedback, don't reply to this newsletter – instead, write to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial: Denise Harrison at denise@ravepubs.com A little about me: Gary Kayye, CTS, founder of Kayye Consulting. Gary Kayye, an audiovisual veteran and columnist, began the widely-read KNews, a premier industry newsletter, in the late 1990s, and created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue – which later became InfoComm IQ. Kayye Consulting is a company that is committed to furthering the interests and success of dealers, manufacturers, and other companies within the professional audiovisual industry. rAVe ProAV Edition was launched in February 2003. rAVe HomeAV Edition co-sponsored by CEDIA launched in February 2004. rAVe Rental [and Staging] launched in November 2007. rAVe Ed [Education] launched in May 2008. To read more about my background, our staff, and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com
Copyright 2008 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 376 – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – 919/969-7501. Email: denise@ravepubs.com rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |