Volume 6, Issue 7 — July 31, 2015
|
Aeiforia Technos
- STEP Takes a Nap
Raymond Kent : Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group Editorial Editorial
|
|
|
STEP Takes a Nap
By Raymond Kent Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group
Since 2006, InfoComm has been actively involved in sustainability and technology under the leadership of my predecessor for this column, Scott Walker of Waveguide Consulting. Scott headed up the Sustainability Task force for InfoComm and then mustered up a motley crew of twelve consultants, manufacturers, integrators, and end users to create the Sustainable Technology Environments Program (STEP). I had the pleasure of being one of these people who were tasked with the challenge of creating a rating system for the AV and later the Information Communications Technology Industry (ICT) that tracked parallel to the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system used by the built environment industry to reduce the carbon footprint of our building stock through thoughtful design, construction, and operation. One of the key drivers for this effort was that there had been little to no attention paid to the plug load side of the equation outside of what was being written at that point into the International Green Construction Code and the USGBC was not really interested in including it in LEED.
From this effort the STEP Foundation was created and member organizations that allied in the ICT industry including InfoComm, BICSI, TIA, CompTia and CCCA were joined to take what we had created as in industry innovation through InfoComm and widen it to the low-voltage ICT industry as a whole. I have served as the Chair of the Technology Advisory Committee since the inception to aid in the interpretation of what we created on the InfoComm STEP Task Force to the other member organizations as they created their industry specific credits to the STEP Rating System. Much work had gone into this process and product including several pilot projects (of which I personally launched three) to test the waters and vette the viability of the credits and system as a whole. It certainly has not been without stumbling blocks and bumps in the road.
Several positive initiatives have been happening including the hiring of educational consultants who were to look at creating educational modules for architects, consultants, integrators, and end users who were interested in pursuing this as a larger goal for their projects. Extensive interviews of key players who worked on pilot projects were held and reports were generated back to the STEP Foundation Board of Directors. Additionally the website was revamped and included more substantial metrics and analytics to measure how the website was working. The Foundation initiated a change in leadership to work to put legs under STEP as a self-sustaining, self funded organization. Many of these efforts were introduced and executed under new management. Of the most significant in my opinion was the path towards the STEP Process as an ANSI Standard and the addition of a STEP for Manufacturing in Engineering Committee that would create a standard for product not unlike Energy Star. There was also an agreement with Green Globes and several new case studies that looked specifically at ICT solutions and the impact on sustainability in the built environment.
Despite all of these great things happening, the STEP Foundation will be shelving the program at the end of July 2015 until such time as it is deemed viable by the member organizations. Each member organization will, however, continue to promote sustainability to their respective membership. Why this is disheartening is that it became a financial issue rather than for the greater good and potentially short cited. Recent analysis by Accenture and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative is pointing to how technology from the ICT industry will be disruptive in the global economy in respects to reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.
In an ever expanding connected world information is king and the ability to exchange and disseminate information affordably is the changing face of the global economy. By 2030 the number of connected devices is expected to reach 100 billion and increase in to 500 billion the decade that follows. With all of this connectedness and its ability to maximize resource efficiency, the ICT industry is what is leading the way currently to kill the debate over whether the world can have both economic viability and environmental protection. If you have been following my articles in the last two and half years, you will know I have covered many global companies that have proven there is profit to be had in sustainable initiatives — Walmart, Coca-Cola, Cisco, Apple, Google, Lego and more.
The GeSI’s report indicates over 11 trillion in economic benefit per year by 2030. Their report, SMARTer 2030 looks at eight major sectors of the global economy including energy, food, manufacturing, health, building, work, learning, and mobility and logistics. The ICT industry is at the heart of each of these sectors in terms of driving economic prosperity and social benefit alongside of environmental efficiencies. As the ICT industry continues to deliver faster and cheaper solutions with greater availability we would be looking at a 20 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by maintaining 2015 levels which, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is needed to avoid a 2˚C rise in average temperatures.
What I like about this report is that it acknowledges that ICT solutions are not inherently carbon neutral themselves being responsible for an average of 2 to 2.5 percent of global carbon emissions. However, this is coming down and is expected to continue to be reduced through better manufacturing solutions, Software and cloud based solutions, and lower carbon footprint materials being used. This also pushes changes in in total solution carbon emissions in that the ICT solutions are driving a user centric rather than production-line economy. Distance and time are becoming less relevant which invites a lower carbon footprint from reduction of travel and faster communications requiring less physical presence. ICT is best capable of servicing this new era through ICT enabled service revenue which could reach $6 trillion in sales by 2030 and $5 trillion in annual savings for the end user.
The biggest advances are seen, according the report, in the medical and educational sectors in which access to information and telemedicine are having the greatest impact. By 203 it is expected that e-learning will be the norm and self directed treatment and diagnosis of medical issues will replace most standard care.
With the United Nations Summit on Climate change rapidly approaching policy makers are expected to create further environments where the ICT industry will have an even greater impact in meeting climate reduction goals. This most likely will be through creating investment incentives to connect the unconnected and upgrade those who already are. They will be continuing to encourage businesses and consumers to engage technology solutions that promote resource efficiency in today’s economy and in the future.
Other things that will have a dramatic effect on this are the upcoming roll out of the revision to ASHRE 189.1 which has absorbed the International Green Construction code. In order to be incompliance with the ASHRE 189.1 Standard a project will have to comply with energy management of plug load devices. This in a lot of ways was a major component of the STEP rating system Likewise, many of the challenges facing one of the fastest growing power consumers in the built environment — plug load technology — was addressed as part of the STEP system. Some may say that the current trends and initiative may make STEP irrelevant then much like many predicted that LEED would become obsolete. What the STEP Rating System provided was a pathway to be successful that didn’t need to be re-invented. My hope is that the STEP Foundation and its member organizations will see that there is relevance currently and in the future for STEP of one stripe or another.
Raymond Kent is the Managing Principal of Sustainable Technologies Group, LLC specializing in technology systems for the performing and cultural arts, healthcare, Government, higher education, and corporate markets. He is a co-author of the STEP rating system and served as the chair of the Technology Task Force for the STEP Foundation. Raymond received the 2012 InfoComm Sustainable Technology Award and is involved with the Center for Sustainable Practice in the Arts. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
|
Five Tips for Doing Military AV Work
By Mark Coxon rAVe Blogger
I had the unique pleasure of helping an existing integrator open up its business to new verticals to see where it may be best suited to be profitable based on the type of work involved. If you work for an integrator, you know that each vertical market has its own unique personality, especially when it comes to how you win jobs and how the vertical addresses things like the RFP process, bid evaluations, plus payments terms and schedules.
One vertical that I explored was the military. I responded to an open bid on www.FBO.gov, where government entities are required to post their RFPs. I found an opportunity to bid on some AV work for the Maritime Operations Center for the US Navy. I attended a job walk as required, made some notes, and then set myself to the task of winning the job, which I did. In that process, I found that there were several pieces of the puzzle that took a lot of time to learn along the way, that if known ahead of time, could have made winning that job easier, and determining the payment and verification schedule much easier. So in the spirit of education and helping integrators better navigate these waters and win more jobs, I thought I’d share a five tips on how to win more military work and make it more profitable.
1) Know your FAR Clauses
FAR stands for Federal Acquisition Regulations and if you respond to military RFPs, you will notice myriad Part 52 FAR clauses at the end. These tell you a lot of important information about qualifying for the project including business types eligible, expectations, needed clearances, etc. You should familiarize yourself with these clauses and as you read through them, make a note of the ones that may seem problematic for your business or processes. Then when you are scanning for opportunities, you can quickly look through the FAR clauses scanning for ones you already know may be deal breakers; e.g., If you don’t have staff with current military background clearance checks for Top Secret spaces, you may skip submitting. There is nothing worse than spending time creating proposals for a project that you find out later you don’t qualify to bid on or install.
2) Ask Better Questions
Most of the RFPs I responded to for military jobs had either mandatory job walks or at least the opportunity for a site visit with the contact before bidding. Even if the scope seems mundane, make sure you take the opportunity to get some time on site. There are all sorts of nuances to military work, including knowing the construction requirements. One job I did was in a “secret” space, where walls had to have a metal layer to stop sound transfer. Managing cables into that space was tricky, and there were only certain places that we were allowed to penetrate those metal barriers. While on site, you also get face time with the contact or contact team. Make sure you ask good questions to isolate all of the small things that may not be in the RFP. I once uncovered that the RFP mentioned AMX, but upon asking the team about the control GUI requirements, I found they had certified Crestron programmers on their N6 Communications staff. We also found that special security measures meant that all control systems needed to be hardwired and tethered, as IR, RF, and Wi-Fi were unable to be used in the rooms. Ask good questions and you’ll differentiate both yourself and your bid. Afterwards the Captain asked me to stay and made sure he wrote down my company’s name, which was a good sign.
3) Define FOB Destinations
Some military jobs can be rather large and require the purchase of expensive equipment that needs to be tested and commissioned well before the actual installation. In the commercial space, our company always collected a 50 percent non-refundable deposit at the start of a job to cover these costs and get projects started. In military installations, this methodology typically doesn’t work. If the FOB destination is defined as the job site, you won’t be able to invoice for anything until it arrives onsite and is signed off by the point of contact. If you have a three-month rack build and test, this could really but some strain on company cash flow.
The best thing to do is to define FOB destination in your bid if possible. You can then define all of your rack components, rack mountable electronics and test equipment with the FOB destination of your facility. This allows you to invoice once it arrives there for build and commissioning. The military then typically has a short window of time to come to your facility and verify it is there if they so choose before signing off. You can still keep FOB destination for things like projection screens and LFDs as the military installation if you are shipping those things directly to site.
4) Make Substitutions
As an integrator doing work in the more traditional corporate and education spaces, I rarely made substitution requests for specified equipment unless I had a compelling reason. It was a lot of work to put together documentation for the alternate equipment, and many times the suggested substitution would be nixed by the consultant or architect anyway. This meant that most of the time, I bid the brands and models for which the client asked.
Now many times this logic will hold true in military jobs as well, especially if there is an existing standard or skill-set, (like the Crestron programmers on staff mentioned above), so I am not suggesting a wholesale substitution of every part in the RFP. However, I advise you to watch carefully for four letters in every military RFP.
Those letters are LPTA.
This stands for Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. Any time you see this in regards to a component or a job as a whole, I suggest you value engineer it or someone else will. This really says “we will buy the cheapest solution that fits our minimum requirements.” Make substitutions whenever you see LPTA and I guarantee you will increase your chances of winning the project.
5) Be Creative in Your Formatting
This is a piece of advice that will only be helpful in winning multiple projects at the same facility or with the same decision makers. Many times when putting together your project proposal for military work, you may be asked to submit two proposals. One is the “technical proposal” and the other is the “price proposal.”
The main difference between the two is that the technical proposal does not include pricing. One team evaluates all the technical proposals, while another team evaluates all the price proposals. They reach two independent conclusions and then come together to compare. Hopefully they choose the same one, but if not, it’s discussion time.
Oh yeah, there is one more important detail about these proposals. They can’t include your company name. The teams are evaluating them blindly, so as to assure that favoritism is not a part of the decision making process. Only the contracting official is supposed knows who wrote the proposals so he can notify once the decision is made.
This is where you get creative with your formatting. Some well-placed font sizes and colors, right justified print, bullets, etc. all may be within the realm of proper submittal guidelines, and can act as a “signature” in the absence of your company name. If you have done work with the group before, and you did it well, they will be looking for you in the stack of “anonymous” proposals this time as well. It’s human nature.
So there you have five easy tips that may just mean the difference between winning or losing your next military RFP. The learning curve can be a little daunting, so hopefully I flattened it out a bit. This information served me well in the past, so much that I used to have one contracting officer that would actually call me every time a new RFP he was in charge of hit the FBO site as to make sure I didn’t miss it and that I was submitting a number. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
|
AV Control, Automation, and Expectations in a Consumer-Driven World
By Leonard Suskin Pixel and Ink-Stained Wretch
Control and automation can be the most fun part of AV design — from the blank canvas of a user interface, one can create anything. Preview windows? Live tiles? A photo of the room which reacts as conditions change? Imagination is the limit, but there are many pitfalls. Today we’ll talk about why some users fear control systems and why some manufacturers fear their own potential resellers.
There’s no question that the control interface is a major component in determining user experience; if controls are too simple, users will feel that the system is limited in capability. Too complex and it will be overwhelming and difficult to use. Poorly laid out controls make the experience uncomfortable and unpleasant, if not confusing. How do people outside the industry see this aspect of AV design? I see a few trends.
To the User, the System IS the Program
This is an obvious point, and one on which we need to educate the public. I discussed the possibility of control systems with a family member when he was moving. He initially considered the idea but, after speaking to some of his friends, decided against it. One of the biggest factors was the number of people who said that they didn’t like the system interface, that it was confusing to use or not flexible enough. This was a fully programmable system in which the interface would be whatever the programmer created. It’s a bit like saying that you don’t like your computer because the menu structure on your spreadsheet program is difficult to use. But it didn’t matter: the association had been made that Brand X (I’ll not name them here) = bad experience. While not the only factor, this was one factor in his decision to not get a control system.
This came to mind yesterday during a Twitter discussion about how a certain manufacturer doesn’t always make it easy for smaller AV contractors to buy their control products. From the contractor’s point of view, I see this as not only frustrating, but as pushing them away from a brand which they’d otherwise be interested in supporting. Looking at the above discussion with the public, it makes perfect sense. If you let one poorly trained individual muddle through control system programming, their sloppy work creates the impression that your hardware is not very good.
Configurable, rather than programmable, systems mitigate this a bit; a configurable system allows the manufacturer to carefully craft an interface which will fit the majority of simple configurations. This is, perhaps, a greater part of the configurable systems’ value than the significant savings on programming labor. It is a way in which a manufacturer can control the experience while still allowing wide access to their devices.
Consumerization Creates Familiarity — For Good and Ill
Not too many years ago, the initial part of training for an integrated AV system in a corporate environment dealt with convincing users that they don’t need the “TV remote” and that they should control everything via the nice custom GUI on the touch panel. Today most of us have touch panels in our pockets, and many of us have the ability to control something in the outside world with them. This means that a touch panel is no longer foreign, but also that it’s no longer special. An eye opening moment came when I was discussing device layout in the final stages of construction for a new fairly high-technology facility. One of the users pointed at a table and said, “We don’t want the iPad there. The people at that position only need a microphone.”
The “iPad” in this context was a desktop-mounted touch panel, complete with the control manufacturer’s logo. It was over a thousand dollars in hardware with countless hours of custom programming and GUI design. It didn’t matter. To the user it was a ten-inch touch panel; the same thing they use to watch Netflix. Turning on the big video wall with the touch panel is no more special than streaming a YouTube video to the TV in your living room.
We’re Being Spoiled by Off the Shelf Tools
A few years ago I took introductory Crestron training and learned, amongst other things, how to build a rudimentary control GUI. One class exercise was creating a transport control page for a DVD player. We had to draw buttons, map them the appropriate commands, and set up feedback to buttons remained in the engaged state if appropriate. It took some time and some knowledge. This past year, as some of you know, I moved. We unpacked the DVD player long before we unpacked its handheld remote — a remote which I’m still not certain I found. This was no problem; in just a few minutes I was able to download a free remote app on my phone which just so happens to have an IR emitter. I can now use my phone as a remote for anything I own.
Automation and No-Touch Control Will Become Expected
“Wow moments” are becoming few and far between. During an excellent webinar on modern control system design, Sumanth Rayancha of Pepperdash listed “no-touch” fully automated control as one future trend. An example was the “smart meeting room.” Once a meeting is booked, everything becomes automatic. Lights come on to the appropriate level when the presenter enters, the correct technology activates itself, complete with display of a presentation. An email or text message can even be sent to the food service team to deliver lunch. It’s am amazing growth in the potential of control and automation.
This is amazing, but still well within reach of consumers; just this morning my wife was lamenting that if she forgets to turn off phone notifications on her phone before bedtime she’ll often get woken up by something or other; I pointed out that it is now fairly easy to use a web-service such as If This Then That to automatically silence and un-silence your phone at certain times of day. One can also turn on the porch light, off the hall light, etc. As more people come aware of these things, they will become more expected.
Not many years ago there was a bit of a “wow” moment when you hit the “Video Conference” button on a touch panel and the shades closed, lights adjusted themselves, cameras swung into position, and displays lit up. That is quickly becoming just as familiar as the “iPad” on the table.
What does this mean? It means that the expectations have never been higher. It’s not enough anymore to have control or even automation — we need to have it and present it in a manner which is thoughtful, pleasant to use, and fills all of the users’ needs. Otherwise we’re back to users seeing AV systems — and hardware — as “terrible” because someone didn’t make it do what they expected of it. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
Extron Takes Aim at Vaddio and ClearOne With New MediaPort 200 AV to USB BoxExtron is launching into a completely new market category with their new MediaPort 200, an HDMI (and audio) to USB bridge for integrating pro AV sources or systems with software codec conferencing applications. The cool thing about this product is it will give integrators a way to make money integrating consumer videoconferencing products and apps (e.g., Skype, Skype for business, Microsoft Lync, etc.) into ProAV systems.
The MediaPort 200 works seamlessly with a computers using generic USB video and audio drivers and it features an HDMI input (with HDCP-compliant loop through) and accepts signals up to 1920 x 1200, and scales video to a USB 2.0 output. Audio features include program and mic inputs, HDMI audio de-embedding, and USB bidirectional audio, plus AEC reference and line level outputs. The MediaPort 200 also includes DSP with EQ, filters, mixing, dynamics, and ducking. This allows the MediaPort 200 to serve as a complete soft codec bridge, with the added flexibility of integrating into larger hardware codec or DSP systems. The MediaPort 200 enables versatile integration of conferencing PCs into pro AV system designs.
As we all know, customers have been asking, for years, to integrate consumer VTC applications into ProAV systems and there’s been very little incentive to do that as the margins to do it were slim and, in most cases, it was just set as an input to the system. But, with the MediaPort 200, there’s margin and you can actually increase the quality of the video (as it includes Extron’s scaling engine) and audio (as it also has their DSP).
The MediaPort 200 puts the power (and decision making ability) into the hands of the integrator to specify alternative higher-end web-cameras and mics by adding support for professional-grade equipment such as videoconferencing PTZ cameras, boundary microphones, and sound reinforcement systems. In boardrooms and large conference rooms, the MediaPort 200 easily integrates a conferencing PC into a fully equipped AV system with a hardware codec, video distribution and processing, control, DSP, microphones and full sound reinforcement.
Extron says to ensure an HDMI source is presented with the highest possible image quality to a soft codec, the MediaPort 200 incorporates Extron patented video processing technology (scaling), specifically engineered for high performance image scaling and frame rate conversion that preserves detail and legibility of source content. The DSP in the MediaPort 200 is ideal for optimizing mic and program source signals, as well as outgoing signals bound for the PC, sound reinforcement systems, or outboard DSPs. The MediaPort 200 can also deliver far-end audio as a dedicated AEC reference output to an AEC-equipped DSP, to provide distributed AEC processing for several microphones.
Inputs incude HDMI, line audio and mic audio so you can simultaneously connect audio from the video source as well as a room mic for voice-over in VTC applications — this is an example of a feature that is integrator-friendly that allows the dealer to make money upgrading the integration of the system from using an off-the-shelf USB web-cam. It’s housed in a 1U, half-rack enclosure and includes I/O ports for mic tally and status for audio group conferencing applications.
Here are all the technical specs on the $3,390 MediaPort 200. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Extron Debuts Industry’s First Conferencing, Collaboration and Control Interface Extron’s new CCI Pro 700 is marketed as the industry’s first control system user interface optimized for conferencing, collaboration and AV control.
Right off the bat, when you look at the CCI Pro 700, you see it’s different than any other control system on the market. In fact, it reminds us of a speakerphone — and, in a way, it is because when you pair it with Extron’s MP 200 introduced yesterday, it becomes a controller and phone interface for a Skype, Skype for Business, Microsoft Lync, Skype, WebEx call and it’s integrated with a Pro Series touch panel to control the entire room.
The CCI Pro 700 supports many of the functions needed in a conferencing environment, while providing a room control user interface. The design includes a 3.5” color information display, a numeric keypad and backlit buttons. The information display may be used to show contact information, call directories, and call status — in fact, it allows you to import your contacts from any of the cloud-codec systems like Skype, Lync and WebEx. Buttons directly below the display may be used to navigate custom lists and menus. The information display is customized using GUI Designer, and all buttons can be configured and customized using Global Configurator Plus and Pro and Custom Button Builder. This flexible design affords countless conferencing and control possibilities.
The CCI Pro 700 is configured using Extron Global Configurator Plus or Global Configurator Professional software and works in conjunction with any Extron IP Link Pro control processor. The CCI Pro 700 operates using standard network infrastructure and is easy to install as the only connection required is Ethernet as it includes PoE (Power over Ethernet). Extron told rAVe it will ship in October. The link on Extron’s website with all the specs will be here, but won’t be activate until August 3. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Sharp Exits Consumer TV Market in Americas — Sort of
Reuters reported this morning that Sharp Corporation has decided to exit the TV market in North and South America.
They’ve not been profitable in the TV market in years and after a $2 Billion refinance, they promised to eliminate 5,000 jobs — this was the best and easiest way to do that. Cut the department hemorrhaging money.
But, just as they announced that, it was announced that China’s Hisense Group says they have purchased the rights to the Sharp brand in North and South America. Hisense Group bought all equity and assets of Sharp’s TV factory in Mexico for $23.7 million with rights to use the “Sharp” brand name and all its channel resources in both both regions. This acquisition will have Hisense completely taking over Sharp’s TV business in these regions.
So, what about commercial monitors?
Well, that meeting is being held today at 3 p.m. when Sharp’s USA president and senior vice president of sales will brief the commercial sales team what their future plans are. Sources tell rAVe that they believe that the Pro Monitors as well as the NEW LC60″, LC70″ and LC80″ the “661” Series announced at InfoComm will remain intact.
We will post more information as soon as we know it. Check back later today! Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Click above to learn more
|
AtlasIED Launches Strategy III Series In-Ceiling SpeakersAtlasIED just launched the FAP Strategy III Series ceiling loudspeakers integrated with a Safety First Mounting System (SFMS). This technology prevents mounting tab damage during installation that other offerings suffer. The damage is caused by over torqueing during the installation process. This excessive torque can damage the mounting tabs that over time can increase the chance of mounting tab breakage and the loudspeaker falling from the ceiling. The SFMS is the result of over 100 tested prototypes until the final design was approved. This patent pending technology uses t-handles that are integrated into the front of the loudspeaker baffle to tighten the mounting tabs in materials up to 3/4″.
According to AtlasIED, the SFMS also decreases installation time by up to 60 percent. Its mounting design is simple install steps without the need for any tools. A front mounted 70V tap selector allows installers to quickly adjust and set the 70V power taps. A removable four-pole euro-style connector allows for easy pre-wiring and daisy chaining of additional loudspeakers and subwoofers. The result is fewer labor costs and better profits. The improved waveguide design provides wider coverage than previous models. The benefit is cost savings due to fewer loudspeakers required, while still maintaining uniform sound throughout. Low-frequency response is enhanced and deeper bass definition is provided via the optimized low frequency tuning port. Additionally all models are safety listed to both UL1480 and UL2043.
All the details are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Kramer Announces New VIA ReleasesKramer last week launched three new VIA products: VIA PAD, an instant-present USB touch device,VIA Site Management (an IT software solution for VIA administrators) and collaboration software enhancements for VIA Collage and VIA Connect PRO.
VIA Collage is Kramer’s wireless BYOD meeting solution for any size meeting space. VIA Connect PRO offers wireless BYOD solutions for collaboration in mid-sized meeting rooms and huddle spaces.
Now, VIA Site Management (VSM) has been added to the VIA family of solutions. VIA Site Management is an IT software solution that lets administrators view and manage multiple VIA rooms within the same network. Administrators can easily and remotely monitor each device, configure and manage software updates, check each device’s status, perform resets, and more.
VIA PAD, Kramer’s new external USB touch device for Mac and PC, lets VIA Collage and VIA Connect PRO users present on the main display with a touch of a finger. Users can also present content by pressing “Step-in” inside the VIA app.
Finally, Kramer’s VIA v1.7 software update introduces 4K-UHD output for VIA Collage. VIA Collage users can present 4K-UHD content with compatible 4K-UHD displays. In addition, iOS mirroring has been added to VIA Connect PRO. VIA v1.7 includes instant file sharing with any iOS or Android device and a Do Not Disturb mode. Do Not Disturb (“DND”) mode lets someone who is presenting keep another participant from stepping in to present.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
FreeAxez Unveils New Gridd and Gridd Power SystemsFreeAxez has announced the latest versions of Gridd and Gridd Power. Gridd is a UL-listed, modular, all-steel, adaptive cabling distribution system that safely distributes cables throughout a building directly beneath the finished floor, providing easy access to a facility’s cables and wiring. Gridd Power is a 50 amp electrical bus track system that allows devices and furniture to easily connect to electricity in the Gridd system.
According to FreeAxez, Gridd is a safer and more flexible solution, negating the need to access wiring in awkward or inaccessible spaces. It significantly reduces the time, hassle and costs associated with traditional wiring methods. Installation takes less than half the time of a post and panel raised floor, leading to significant savings in labor costs. The Gridd system can be repositioned, redeployed, reused or recycled in its original state, in any building. FreeAxez offers clients hands on support throughout every phase of the project, including lifetime support of every building that its Gridd system is employed.
Gridd is 100 percent made in the USA with locally harvested raw material and US manufactured steel. The product is Greenspec listed and can contribute to LEED credits in five categories, including building reuse, construction waste management, materials reuse, recycled content and regional materials.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Extron Ships 3.5″ Wall Mount and Cable Cubby TouchLink Pro TouchpanelsExtron has shipped the TLP Pro 320Mand TLP Pro 320C TouchLink Pro Touchpanels. These fully-configurable touchpanels work with any Extron IP Link Pro control processor and are designed for use in AV system applications that require complete, interactive control of a broad range of source devices. As with all TouchLink Pro models, these feature faster processing and more memory. Power over Ethernet – PoE allows the touchpanels to receive power and communications over a single Ethernet cable. The TLP Pro 320M features a sleek, rounded bezel that compliments the aesthetics of any AV environment. It is ideal for AV applications requiring a compact, wall-mountable touchpanel with a fully customizable interface.
The TLP Pro 320M and TLP Pro 320C feature customizable backlit buttons that broaden the room control options. All TouchLink Pro touchpanels can be customized using Extron GUI Designer software. This powerful interface design software offers ready-to-use templates for a wide variety of rooms and presentation environments. These designs may be used as is, or customized for the application by simply changing individual graphic elements. Both touchpanels are also compatible with the Extron Control App and Extron Control for Web.
Go here for all the specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Atlona Ships 4K Matrix Switchers Atlona is now shipping its T-UHD-PRO3-88M 8×8 matrix and the 6×6 AT-UHD-PRO3-66M. Both are, according to Atlona, HDMI to HDBaseT matrix switchers capable of switching 4K video @ 60 Hz with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. The specs for both say the switchers can handle chroma subsampling at 4:4:4, 4:2:2 and 4:2:0 as well as 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit color depth.
The models provide:
- HDBaseT outputs for cable runs of both 230 feet (70 meters) and 328 feet (100 meters)
- 48V Power over Ethernet
- two HDMI outputs which are independently selectable as mirrored or matrix outputs
- analog audio de-embedding on multiple sources
- EDID communications support
- a web-based GUI for matrix configuration
- front panel control
And, both also offer capability for bidirectional remote control via IP, IR and RS232.
Both matrixes are designed to handle de-embedding of audio streams with support for signals up to 192 kHz/24-bit plus independent control for volume, mute, and 5-band EQ for all de-embedded audio content. Connection to analog audio outputs (unbalanced) are made with captive-screw connectors. And in future software upgrades will be available via a network-connected IP (RJ45) or USB connection.
Get more information on the T-UHD-PRO3-88M here and on the AT-UHD-PRO3-66M, here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Crestron Ships New DigitalMedia 4K Multimedia Presentation Switchers Crestron is now shipping three new 4K specified presentation switchers in the form of the HD-MD8X1-4K (an eight-input 4K Scaling Presentation Switcher via HDMI), the DM-MD8X1-4K-C (a 4K Scaling Presentation Switcher with HDBaseT output plus a mic input) and the DMPS3-4K-150-C (a 3-Series 4K Presentation System. All of them can scale any incoming resolution to 4096×2160.
Crestron says the DMPS3-4K-150-C is specifically designed for classrooms, small and medium conference rooms, and huddle spaces. It includes an integrated Crestron 3-Series Control System and two DM inputs for a 10×1 4K switching solution and can be used with either their .AV Framework or SIMPL Windows for custom programming.
Actually, all three presentation switchers are built on the new Crestron .AV Framework technology, so Crestron claims they are ready to go right out of the box. Setup can be done right from an iPad, laptop or touch screen, without custom programming. Crestron even promotes that you can walk into the room, connect your cables, specify sources and displays and the system is up and running.
Here are more tech specs:
Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Da-Lite Debuts New 0.8 and UST 0.45 Parallax ScreensBy now, it’s likely that everyone knows that the new Da-Lite Parallax screen is an OEM’d dnp screen, but dnp is known for awesome ambient rejection screens. And, it means that it’s available to everyone in the ProAV market.
Parallax features an advanced optical lens system that rejects light, rather than only diffusing light. This new technology mimics the look of a television, but without the glare from windows or lighting fixtures. And, it can be made in sizes up to a 120 inch diagonal.
Parallax is made up of multiple micro-layers to achieve its light blocking properties and superior viewing angles. Each micro-layer has a function in creating the brightly lit display. Layers that are black boost contrast and absorb ambient light from the sides, while a specially shaped layer blocks light from above. This is evident in demos where lights can be shown directly above the screen without washing out the image.
Parallax 0.8 for standard throw projectors and Parallax UST 0.45 for ultra short-throw projectors. Both products are flexible, shipping in a roll, and feature speckle and glare-free surfaces as well as extremely wide viewing angles of 85″ and 80″ respectively.
Here are the tech specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Smart-e Debuts New Nine Input SwitcherUK-based Smart-e has unveiled a new multi-format nine input presentation switcher (SDS-7000) that’s capable of managing digital and analog signals as two if the inputs include three HDMI, one HDBaseT, two RGBHV (VGA), one DisplayPort, one composite and one component. The two outputs (simultaneous) are HDBaseT and HDMI.
An internal image processor provides video switching and scaling up to WUXGA (1920×1200) resolution signals. Each source can also have a either stereo audio input which can be converted into embedded digital audio and sent out via an internal stereo power amplifier.
The 1U 19-inch, rackmount chassis includes RS232, IP, IR and front panel control. Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
BenQ Adds Two New M6 Projector Models for Small Corporate SolutionsBenQ America has added two new models to its M6 Series of projectors. The MX631ST and MW632ST short-throw projectors are specified at 3,200 lumens of brightness with 13,000:1 contrast ratio. Standard features include SmartEco power-saving technology, auto keystone setup tools, expanded connectivity options and the ability to fill up to a 100-inch screen at a mere six feet away.
Other features include:
- Dual HDMI slots
- MHL technology allows content streaming of compatible mobile devices directly to the projector
- Integrated 10-watt speaker
- 1.2x zoom and auto keystone capabilities
- XGA (MX631ST) or WXGA resolution (MW632ST)
BenQ’s SmartEco technology reduces the the total cost of ownership of the M6 Series with a lamp life of up to 10,000 hours and no filters to clean or replace. By setting projectors to “Smart Eco” mode, the units automatically adjust lamp power by up to 70 percent in order to use just the right amount of brightness. To further reduce power consumption, an “Eco Blank” mode allows users to blank out the screen whenever projection isn’t required, while a “No Source Detected” mode automatically lowers brightness to 30 percent when no display has been detected for more than three minutes. After 20 minutes of inactivity, the projectors automatically shut down to save power. For total energy efficiency, a “Standby” mode allows the projectors to lower power usage to less than 0.5W during periods of inactivity.
More information on the M6 Series is here and here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Crestron Ships New DMPS3-300-C-AECCrestron announced today it is now shipping its new DMPS3-300-C-AEC DigitalMedia Presentation System — a presentation control and signal routing solution aimed at boardrooms, video conference rooms, and classrooms. The version of their DigitalMedia family includes a built-in Crestron 3-Series Control System, echo cancellation and on-board SIP and POTS dialers.
Built-in voice over IP and traditional POTS dialers are designed to add dial in for videoconferencing participants. The DMPS3-300-C-AEC includes an integrated audio conference interface and adaptive acoustic echo cancelling on each of its six mic inputs – and with no echo. The DMPS3-300-C-AEC integrates seamlessly with up to two external audio or video codecs for a total teleconferencing solution.
Installing and commissioning the DMPS3-300-C-AEC does not require custom programming as, according to Crestron, its pre-loaded with Crestron .AV Framework software auto-configures everything for you, enabling the DMPS3-300-C-AEC to control up to four displays.
The DMPS3-300-C-AEC features also include:
- Support for 802.1x authentication technology — the same data security protocol used by government and financial institutions
- Built-in BACnet IP support — thus, integration with existing building management systems
- Support for SIMPL# enables C# programmers for AV applications
- Multi-tasking to run up to ten programs simultaneously
- Reduced compile time; according to Crestron, what took five minutes with Crestron 2-Series now takes 20 seconds
Like all DigitalMedia products, the DMPS3-300-C-AEC is designed to meet the HDBaseT Alliance specifications and can be connected directly to any HDBaseT compliant source or display device without requiring a DM transmitter or receiver.
Here are the details. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Extron Launches New Quantum Connect with HDMIExtron’s Quantum Connect videowall processor is now offered in two HDMI configurations with new, lower pricing. The Quantum Connect 82 and Quantum Connect 84 feature eight HDMI inputs and two or four HDMI outputs. Extron says they are integrated with the same video scaling, windowing capability, and performance as Extron’s flagship Quantum Elite processors. Quantum Connect is designed for videowalls with two to four displays, delivering video processing with flexible windowing capabilities.
The Quantum Connect 82 and Quantum Connect 84 maintain optimal full frame rate performance with a high-speed, 10 Gbps RAPT – Real-Time Asymmetric Packetized Transfer video/graphic bus that allows all inputs to be processed simultaneously, while preserving real-time control response and image performance.
A variety of display scenarios can be pre-programmed or created on-the-fly using Quantum Connect Control Software, an intuitive control interface for setup and system operation. Restriction-free windowing allows complete flexibility when designing window layouts. All of this is complemented by high performance image scaling technology, which accurately preserves the original image quality at all window sizes.
For more information on the Quantum Connect, go here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Aviom Ships the D400 and D400-Dante A-Net DistributorsAviom is already shipping its new D400 and D400-Dante A-Net Distributors. The D400 and D400-Dante A-Net Distributors are designed to distribute power and digital audio data to an Aviom personal mixing system and provide users with an easy and affordable way to get into Aviom personal mixing for live performance or recording applications.
The D400-Dante allows up to 32 Dante channels to be routed to the personal mixing system, which makes connecting to a Dante-enable digital console or audio network as simple as plugging in a Cat-5 cable.
The standard D400 has an A-Net input for those using an analog input module or a digital console card as the front end of their system, while the D400-Dante has Dante I/O instead of the A-Net input. Up to eight personal mixers can be connected to each D400 or D400-Dante’s A-Net outputs, and an unlimited number of distributors can be used when creating larger systems with more than eight performers.
The D400 and D400-Dante are compatible with both the original Pro16 version of A-Net and the new Pro16e version of A-Net, the technology driving the A360 and A320 Personal Mixers which allows multiple 16-channel banks of monitoring content to be delivered over a single Cat-5 cable. The new distributors can also be used with Aviom’s legacy products including the A-16II Personal Mixer.
If you want more details, go here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
InFocus Lowers Price of ConX Video Conference Solution and Adds FeaturesInFocus Corporation says it has made it easier for people to connect and collaborate across platforms and the globe with a major expansion of its ConX Video Meeting (pronounced “Connects”) cloud-based group video conferencing service. The enhanced abilities include: the addition of full HD meeting rooms that can connect up to 25 participants, new Web browser plug-ins and mobile apps that make it easier for people to participate from their devices, and more affordable pricing.
ConX Video Meeting works like a traditional audio-only conference bridge; participants dial in from their SIP or H.323 video calling system, Windows or OSX computer, iOS or Android mobile devices, Microsoft Lync or other app such as Jabber. They type in a secure room number and access code and then, through the cloud, ConX joins all the participants together, face to face, and enables data sharing. The virtual meeting room is accessible 24/7 without any scheduling required, giving customers the flexibility to connect with anyone at any time. There is no cost for participants to access a ConX Meeting Room and there are no additional usage fees. Only an Internet connection is required to meet.
ConX enhancements also include a 25-seat HD room, monthly billing options and a room control portal called HostConX. Six and 12-seat HD rooms are also available. The new pricing is as follows:
- Up to 6 users – $119/mo or $1,199/yr
- Up to 12 users – $199/mo or $1,999/yr
- Up to 25 users – $399/mo or $3,999/yr
Details on the InFocus ConX Video Meeting are here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
AVIOM Intros Three New Personal MixersAviom has launched three complete personal mixing system packages, the Mix320-A Personal Mixing System, the Mix320-Y Personal Mixing System, and the Mix320-D Personal Mixing System. All three packages are available immediately, and will be sold in the US only.
Each system is built around the A320 Personal Mixer, Aviom’s most affordable Personal Mixer to date. Designed to accommodate six users live on stage or in the recording studio, each system comes complete with everything required to connect and configure the products, including mic stand mounts and Cat-5 cables.
The Mix320-A Personal Mixing System features the analog AN-16/i v.2 Input Module with 16 TRS balanced inputs as the front end of the system. The AN-16/i v.2 connects to a D400 A-Net® Distributor with supplies digital data and DC power to its eight A-Net ports. Six A320 Personal Mixers, six MT-1a Mic Stand Mounts, and seven 25-foot Cat-5 cable round out the package.
Created for users of Yamaha digital mixing consoles, the Mix320-Y Personal Mixing System includes a Y1 A-Net card to get digital audio from the mixing console into the Aviom system. The Y1 card’s A-Net output connects to a D400 A-Net Distributor, and from there Cat-5 cables connect the six A320 Personal Mixers. Mic stand mounts and Cat-5 cables are included in this system as well.
The Mix320-D Personal Mixing System has been designed specifically for use with Dante enabled consoles and audio networks. The Mix320-D includes a D400-Dante A-Net Distributor that allows up to 32 channels to be patched from the Dante network to the personal mixing system inputs.
No input device is required; simply connect the Dante network to the D400-Dante. The D400-Dante is also used to supply A-Net digital data and DC power to the personal mixers. The system includes six A320 Personal Mixers for the performers, six MT-1a Mic Stand Mounts for attaching the A320 mixers to mic stands, plus all the Cat-5e cables needed to connect the products.
Here are all the options. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Smart-e Debuts HDMI Extenders and SplittersSmart-e has launched a range of “cost effective” HDMI extenders and splitters that distribute signals over a single Cat6 cable, including some 4K signals. Starting at just £142 (approximately $222) for the 4K-700, a 3D compatible and HDCP compliant transmitter and receiver pair to extend HDMI, DVI or DP++, together with IR signals over a single 70-meter CAT5e-8 cable, the 4K-700. It uses HDBaseT Lite technology to extend 12 bit Deep Colour, 3D, 4K and 2K resolutions together with 1080p @60Hz. Other extenders in the family include: 4K-710, 4K-800 and 4K-810, which add RS232 and Ethernet capabilities up to 100 meters of cable.
In addition, they launched six HDMI/HDBaseT splitters starting at £178 for the 4K-TX720, just one of a collection of 4K compatible self-contained HDBaseT one input by multiple outputs capable of transmitting HDMI signals up to 4K UHD resolutions over 70 meters or 100 meters of Cat6 cable. The single HDMI input can be connected to the rear of the unit where it is split internally and fed to two outputs. Each HDBaseT connection also allows for IR signals to be received back from the receiver enabling remote control of the source device. Other splitters in the family include: 4K-TX740/780 and 4K-TX820/840/880 for two, four and eight outputs respectively which add RS232 pass-through and Ethernet capabilities up to 100m of cable.
Check out all the specs here. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
Extron Now Shipping 15″ TouchLink Pro TouchpanelsExtron is shipping its TLP Pro 1520TG TouchLink Pro Touchpanel. This configurable 15” tabletop touchpanel has a capacitive, edge-to-edge glass touchscreen; and, as with all TouchLink Pro models, it features faster processing and more memory. The 1366×768 touchscreen is all one giant responsive control surface and it features video preview inputs that support high resolution HDCP-compliant video from HDMI sources and Extron XTP devices. PoE+ allows the touchpanel to receive power and communications over a single Ethernet cable.
The TLP Pro 1520TG works in conjunction with any Extron IP Link Pro control processor and is designed for use in AV system applications that require complete, interactive control of a broad range of AV system devices. TouchLink Pro touchpanels operate using standard network infrastructure and are easy to install with reliable and cost effective Ethernet cable. The TLP Pro 1520TG can be removed from its base and mounted on any VESA standard mounting arm or bracket that uses a 100 mm mounting pattern.
All TouchLink Pro touchpanels are customized using Extron GUI Designer software.
Here are all the tech specs. Leave a Comment
Share Article
Back to Top |
|
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).
Don’t like us, then go away — unsubscribe! Just use the link below.
To send me feedback, don’t reply to this newsletter. Instead, write directly to me at gary@ravepubs.com or for editorial ideas, Editor-in-Chief Sara Abrons at sara@ravepubs.com
A little about me: I graduated from Journalism School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where I am adjunct faculty). I’ve been in the AV-industry since 1987 where I started with Extron and eventually moved to AMX. So, I guess I am an industry veteran (although I don’t think I am that old). I have been an opinionated columnist for a number of industry publications and in the late 1990s I started the widely read KNews eNewsletter (the first in the AV market) and also created the model for and was co-founder of AV Avenue, which is now known as InfoComm IQ. rAVe [Publications] has been around since 2003, when we launched our original newsletter, rAVe ProAV Edition.
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
To read more about my background, our team and what we do, go to https://www.ravepubs.com Back to Top |
Copyright 2015 – rAVe [Publications] – All rights reserved – All rights reserved. For reprint policies, contact rAVe [Publications], 210 Old Barn Ln. – Chapel Hill, NC 27517 – (919) 969-7501. Email: Sara@rAVePubs.com |
|
|
|