Volume 7, Issue 5 — May 23, 2018
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The Future of HOW House of Worship Trends
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Customer Service Is the New Marketing for AV
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
“Brand is not what you say it is. It’s what they say it is.” That’s the observation from renowned brand thought-leader and master storyteller, Marty Neumeier, author of almost a dozen books on the subject of brands. So if they have such sway over your brand reputation, how important is customer service for your brand? I submit that it is of such importance that customer service is the new marketing for AV.
In particular, I know that churches value customer service because they use your technology in mission-critical environments (mainly on weekends) where failure is not an option they want on the table.
Your Brand Is Always at Risk
Some brands have earned prestigious reputations by delivering outstanding products for decades. Big names like Sony, Panasonic, Electronic Theatre Controls, Yamaha. Insert your own brand name right alongside these, too, because they are just at risk of losing the value of their brand value as your company.
Brand management has less to do with what kind of marketing messages or product positioning and far, far more to with how well you listen to the voice of the customer and respond quickly, accurately, and personally. That means your brand is really in the hands of everyone within your organization, not just in a ‘customer service department.’
Think those brands — or yours — are immune to the loss of brand reputation and loyalty? Think again. These stats say otherwise.
- “Three in five Americans (59 percent) would try a new brand or company for a better service experience.” –Source: American Express Survey, 2011
- “Americans tell an average of nine people about good experiences and tell 16 (nearly two times more) people about poor experiences.” –Source: American Express Survey, 2011
- “Over 1 million people view tweets about customer service every week. Roughly 80 percent of those tweets are negative or critical in nature.” –Source: Touch Agency Survey
- “Only 1 out of 26 unhappy customers complain. The rest churn.” –Source: Esteban Kolsky, founder of thinkJar
No organization can afford that kind of customer loss or brand reputation hit! For churches, they will likely go to your competitor if they have to follow up again and again with product or installation issues.
Your Customer Service Defines Your Brand Reputation
I’ve long advocated that Sales and Marketing should be tied at the hip. It’s a symbiotic relationship. For these folks to succeed, though, customer service has to not be a perceived barrier-to-entry. Overcoming a bad reputation takes exponentially more effort (and cost) than making responsive, helpful and personal service experiences the cornerstone of your brand.
According to a recent customer experience (CX) survey by Gartner, Inc. in 2015, companies that placed the biggest focus on programs to improve the collection and analysis of customer feedback and ‘opening up’ the organization. Priority was placed on collecting and analyzing customer feedback and communicating actions to employees and customers (capturing the voice of the customer) followed by reconfiguring customer process. –Source: Gartner, Inc., Survey Analysis: The State of Customer Experience Innovation, 2015
Listening to customers. Communicating action plans to employees and to customers. Changing the customer process. These are huge undertakings, but customer service and the customer experience defines your brand reputation, so the investment is worthwhile.
- “For every customer who bothers to complain, 26 other customers remain silent.” –Source: White House Office of Consumer Affairs
- “Customer service shouldn’t just be a department, it should be the entire company.” -Source: Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos
The House of Worship market is made up of people, just like any other market segment. As such, it should come as no surprise that these findings have direct implications for how the AV market needs to serve churches, too.
Your Marketing Starts with Customer Service
If marketing is defined as “the action or business of promoting and selling products or services,” then what they — the prospects and customers — have to say about your brand is where your Marketing is set up to succeed or fail.
- “Seven in 10 Americans said they were willing to spend more with companies they believe provide excellent customer service.” -Source: American Express Survey, 2011
This is not only a seismic shift in reorienting the AV manufacturing and integration businesses, it is also an intentional shift in prioritizing marketing as direct reflections from the learnings of customer service lessons. Doing so will ensure your marketing starts with customer service and comes full circle back to the customer experience.
In order to implement these changes, the following stats help paint a three-step process.
- “The top-three traits of great customer service are efficiency (answers my questions quickly), empowered (able to handle my requests without transfers) and empathetic (connects with me personally).” –Source: American Express 2017 Global Customer Service Barometer
- “The key attributes to improve customer service in the next five years: speed (take care of customer needs more quickly), personalization (train representatives to make a personalized connection) and education (make prospects/customers aware of benefits and services that can help me).” –Source: American Express 2017 Global Customer Service Barometer
Do you see the correlation between the top-three traits of great customer service and the key attributes to improve customer service? Efficiency = Speed. Empathetic = Personalization. Empowered = Education. The implications and directive for prioritizing customer service could not be more clear or more important for managing your brand’s reputation!
Churches often feel like the underserved market; don’t compound that perception by assuming a customer service department pep talk with change anything. To be successful in the next five years as social networking circles expand even further, substantial changes are required of everyone in the AV industry.
What do you think? Do you agree with Anthony Coppedge’s thoughts for the audiovisual industry? Leave a Comment
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Alexa, Manage My Church AV System
By Anthony Coppedge House of Worship Technology Consultant
“Alexa, turn on the church audiovisual system.” Clever voice-activated connectivity? Maybe. But practical? Not really.
“Alexa, show me the upcoming maintenance on all of my audiovisual components, listing them in descending order by date.” Clever? Maybe. But practical? Absolutely.
In the house of worship market, convenience isn’t a key driver for upgrades or new purchases. What does pique buyer interest, however, is when technology is a driver for consistent operation and a decreased total cost of ownership.
Amazon’s Alexa, or Google’s Assistant, or Microsoft’s Cortana, or Apple’s Siri may be a part of these key drivers sooner than later for church audiovisual systems.
For the commercial audiovisual industry, the big game changer today should be voice-activated connectivity because it expands control beyond convenience.
AV Sytems Control Is Not Enough for Voice-Activated Connectivity
The consumer market has long driven technology innovations and price reductions in the commercial audiovisual space, so it should come as no surprise that remote automation and voice control are inevitable no the commercial integration world. However, unlike the casual consumer market, professional applications need a stronger value proposition than clever convenience — an ROI needs to be evident.
Long-time leaders in the automation space are AMX and Crestron, along with other competitors. Of course, the increased proprietary control schemas introduced by manufacturers themselves have also been consistent factors in tying components together into a unified system.
At the center of the target for automation has been control. Turning things on and off, power sequencing and, of course, recalling pre-set settings have been the key drivers for audiovisual system control. Along the way, the automation technology became easier and graphically rich user interfaces (UI) began to apply design thinking for easier operation. But no matter how fancy the interfaces, the purpose of automation was squarely centered on controlling devices.
The future of the Internet of Things (IoT) has brought with it far more than control; it’s brought real-time, conversational interactivity. For example, Alexa offers Flash Briefing, where “Alexa delivers news and content from popular broadcasters, local weather information and more. Some providers have video flash briefings available to play along with the audio on compatible Echo devices.”
Instead of limiting users to control options, the IoT connectivity provides users with real-time feedback and specific, contextually relevant data using voice-activated connectivity.
Control Is Dead; Long Live Control
I think it’s fair to say that Crestron, AMX, and other control/automation systems manufacturers have their work cut out for them. Connectivity — be it Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IR, RF or even hardwired ports — is on everything today. I’m not saying that control systems are obsolete (today), but I am saying that systems integrators have a significant arsenal of tools (for free) available to them to build fully connected, controlled and automated systems using consumer devices. That’s a game-changer!
For example, Amazon’s Alexa has “skills” — a software developer kit — to build custom control and operational interfacing with pretty much any connected device. There are systems integrators already promoting their ability to tie in commercial control systems to the voice-activated Echo devices. It’s simply a matter of time before there is a published library of commercial audiovisual components and systems available for download, like already exists for consumer systems.
The voice-activated future may look something like this:
“Hey, Google… turn on the youth audio system and play the Jesus Culture playlist .”
“Hey, Google” is the trigger; “turn on” initiates an activity on the hub that powers on all of the necessary devices and sets the correct inputs; “play the Jesus Culture playlist on Spotify” is a playback command for content and the service (Spotify), while “for walk-in” is location zone control for the youth auditorium and foyer at a pre-set decibel level as background music.
But even more useful than that convenience? Try this:
“Alexa… send me an email with the latest operational run-time reports for the church main auditorium systems, along with the estimated dates for lamp replacements on the lighting fixtures.” Imagine the value proposition church leaders will see when they see the possibility of voice-activated connectivity!
I’m Sorry Dave, I’m Afraid I Can’t Do That
We’re still a ways off from 2001: Space Odyssey where we have to wonder if the machines will rebel against us. We’re not that far off from systems using narrow artificial intelligence to learn how to keep us from making dumb mistakes in audiovisual system operation.
The opportunity for both manufacturers and systems integrators is wide open for moving beyond control and functional operation from touchpanels or web browsers.
Once again, the consumer space is driving innovation; the question is if your leaders will be smart enough to know how close to obsolescence they are if they don’t drive innovation in this direction as soon as possible.
What say you? Share your views and links in the comments below. Leave a Comment
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Adamson Launches New Point Source Models from IS-Series
Adamson Systems Engineering has officially launched the IS7p and IS10p, a new pair of point source additions to its heralded IS-Series of install-focused loudspeaker products.
The IS7p and IS10p join the IS7 and IS10 two-way, full-range line array cabinets and IS118 and IS119 subwoofers in the IS-Series, which packs Adamson’s sophisticated tour-grade technology into a sleek package with rugged and unobtrusive rigging solutions.
The IS7p is a two-way point source cabinet with two ND7-LM16 7” Kevlar Low-Mid drivers (2x 16 Ω) and one NH3-8 1.4” exit compression driver (8 Ω). The IS10p is a two-way point source cabinet containing two ND10-LM 10” Kevlar Low-Mid drivers (2x 16 Ω) and again one NH3-8 1.4” exit compression driver (8 Ω).
Both loudspeakers feature newly designed waveguides, which have been refined through boundary element analysis (BEM) and incorporate the best aspects of 30 years of Adamson waveguide technology. The rotatable waveguides are available with nominal dispersion patterns of 70° x 40° or 100° x 50°, respectively, and ensure a smooth transition from on- to off-axis positions, delivering natural sound without diffraction or lobing. Depending on the application, their full-range capabilities can negate the need for a subwoofer, and with their high SPL-to-size ratio, the IS7p and IS10p are remarkably efficient solutions.
The choices in dispersion pattern enable the IS7p and IS10p to be used as main systems or to supplement larger setups as fill cabinets in theatres, musicals and houses of worship as well as dance clubs, large meeting rooms and arenas. The comprehensive rigging options mean the new models can be easily deployed for all of these applications, from main house systems to under-balcony and lip fills and beyond.
The cabinets feature marine-grade birch plywood and aircraft-grade aluminum and steel. The models come equipped with Speakon NL4 connectors (IS7p and IS10p) or barrier strips (IS7pb and IS10pb). A plate-and-screw rigging system is placed on four faces of the enclosure, with a multitude of accessories allowing the enclosure to be deployed seamlessly in a variety of applications.
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NEUTRIK Introduces New Dante I/O Interface
The new NEUTRIK intelligent NA2-IO-DLINE Interface enables integration of analog signal devices within a Dante AoIP network in just a few easy steps.
This new end-of-network device offers two analog inputs and two outputs, enabling it to simultaneously integrate two analog audio channels within a Dante network or output a Dante stream as two analog channels. “The ability to feed and transmit signals at the same time eliminates the need for investment in new devices,” says Frick.
Converting two analogue line signals to a Dante stream and a Dante stream to two analog line signals, simultaneously, enables the NA2-IO-DLINE to feed analog signals to a Dante network, while receiving a mix from another Dante source and feeding it to non-Dante ready amplifiers, self-powered speaker systems, signal processors, mixing consoles, etc.
The unit requires a Power over Ethernet switch or a PoE injector (802.3 af/at; class 1) and is AES67 compliant, which enables it to be used more extensively with other AES67 compliant AoIP networks.
The NA2-IO-DLINE is optimized for use in extreme environments and applications, offering the usual NEUTRIK standards of robust construction and protection. The unit comes ‘wrapped’ in a highly protective rubber casing for stand-alone deployment; this can be removed, allowing it to be used with optional mounting brackets or a rack panel, enabling it to be mounted below tables, in floor boxes or in equipment racks for fixed installation applications. In addition, the unit is equipped with lockable etherCON connections for audio and network I/O.
NEUTRIK is here. Leave a Comment
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ProCo Sound to Debut New AC Power Distribution System at InfoCommProCo Sound will show new power delivery solutions from AC Power Distribution at InfoComm 2018 (Booth C1734). New to AC Power’s Studio Stage Theater (SST) series are the Portable Camlock Disconnects, which provide safe and convenient main disconnect and overcurrent protection for any temporary power distribution system. AC Power is also expanding its Portable Outlet Box (POB) series with the new PowerBOX Taps (a.k.a “JuiceBOX”), which allows users to simply and conveniently tap into PowerCON 20A circuits and distribute power to a variety of output connector types and configurations. Both products can be easily integrated into any AV environment, with features designed to provide adaptable options for any power delivery need or project. Power requirements change from project to project; these solutions give schools, museums, houses of worship and any other fixed installation a portable option to supplement an existing power system.
With three 20A convenience outlets featuring 100 percent continuous-duty, branch-rated breakers, the new Portable Camlock Disconnects provide quick and easy utility power without the hassle of taps and adapters. Users can choose from nine models ranging from 100A to 400A as well as a 480V version. Each includes Main Breaker (standard or adjustable) and Load Center type configurations. The 250A and 400A models come equipped with adjustable over-current settings for protecting various feeder circuits. Access to over-current setting can be sealed in a facility or left open for on-location adjustments. Each stackable, compact model is built with top and side mounted handles and feet allowing for convenient portability and orientation.
The convenient and compact PowerBOX Taps allow broadcast operators to place 15A or 20A outlets wherever needed along a PowerCON 20A feed. Each unit is housed in a heavy-duty, fully insulated enclosure that offers numerous output receptacle choices. Users can take advantage of the units’ built-in feed-through design to place multiple boxes along the same feed or create a custom 20A stringer. Optional hangers can be easily installed to hang units from a pipe or truss.
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Bose Professional T8S and T4S ToneMatch Stereo Mixers Now Available
Bose Professional is now shipping the latest additions to its ToneMatch audio engine series: the new eight-channel T8S ToneMatch mixer and the four-channel T4S ToneMatch mixer, representing the next generation of the ToneMatch line and offering unprecedented connectivity with intuitive control. Compact and portable, both the T8S and T4S are gig-ready. Their rugged enclosures have a protective, magnetically-coupled cover to protect controls and connectors. A chassis-bottom insert allows the use of standard mounting accessories to keep the mixers in reach during performances.
The eight-channel T8S ToneMatch mixer is intuitive to operate, with illuminated, tactile controls, an easy-to-read display and scene recall. ToneMatch processing presets with the powerful and advanced DSP engine (including studio-quality effects and Bose zEQ equalization, which redefines low, mid and high ranges for each ToneMatch preset) make it easy for musicians to take control of their music. When used with Bose L1 and F1 systems, the T8S provides full end-to-end tonal optimization.
The T8S includes a ToneMatch power supply. Dimensions are: 8.4 x 12.25 x 3.25 inches (214 x 311 x 83 millimeters).
The four-channel T4S offers most of the same features as the T8S, but also includes dual ToneMatch links – designed to send digital audio to L1 Model 1S/II systems while receiving power on the same provided ToneMatch cable (note: when not used with an L1 system, the T4S can also be optionally powered by an accessory ToneMatch power supply). The final difference between the mixers is the inclusion of an output meter on the T8S (not included on the T4S). Dimensions are 8.4 x 7.25 x 3.25 inches (214 x 184 x 83 millimeters).
The T8S and T4S are now available for $899 and $599, respectively. You can see it here. Leave a Comment
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EM Acoustics Expands EMS Series with EMS-41 Launch at InfoComm 2018EM Acoustics unveils the latest addition to its EMS Series loudspeakers — dubbed the ultra-compact EMS-41. The EMS-41 is designed for nearfield monitoring and background music applications, particularly where a compact, discreet solution is required for intelligible audio distribution over wide areas. It’s also ideal for theatrical spot effects, fill, delay as well as background sound or indeed corporate and AV use.
Featuring a passive crossover design, it’s designed for both mobile and fixed installation, as a stand-alone system or as a complement to larger systems.
EMS-41 is expected to be shipping by July 2018. All the tech specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Nigel B Design Debuts Light Weight Projector Vaults Nigel B Design has a new line of secure, theft-resistant projector housings called Projector Vault. The aluminum housings are powder coated in white or black scratch-free enamel and all of them allows all power, signal and speaker cables to be routed inside the unit and hidden from view. Users will appreciate this feature together with the knowledge that the Projector Vault’s totally enclosed design provides security when locked on a campus.
When access to the interior is needed, you don’t have to unscrew “tamper-proof” screws, Projector Vault uses a hinged key locking top door designed that provides access to the interior when lamp changes or even if the entire projector needs to be changed out. In addition, a three-position lens panel allows left, right and center positions of the projector lens, without making any changes to the front Panel.
Nigel B says that Projector Vault eliminates the need for a projector mount as it’s two products in one — the projector is held in place using four self-adhesive pads that attach to the projector’s adjustable height feet and to the vault’s floor.
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Want to Use Both Hands to Control Live Events While Standing?
Gig Gear has announced the addition of the Two Hand Touch Harness, a wearable iPad and tablet case that is secured to the chest via a flexible harness, leaving both hands available to interface with remote mixing apps and other apps necessary during live production.
These days remote mixing on an iPad or tablet is commonplace. It gives engineers the opportunity to get out from behind the board and hear sound in the venue from different locations while making mix changes on the spot. Almost every remote mixing app has multi-touch capabilities built in, but taking advantage of the multi-touch features are next to impossible when one hand is always being used to actually hold the iPad. Not anymore, thanks to the Two Hand Touch Harness by Gig Gear.
Apps that have multi-touch capabilities can now be used with ease, and mixing can be done more similarly to the way it would be done on an actual board — with both hands on the faders.
Two models are available: the Two Hand Touch 9 and the Two Hand Touch 12, which are designed to perfectly fit the standard iPad 9.7-inch size and the iPad Pro 12.9-inch size, respectively. With multiple elastic bands in different configurations included on the inside of the case, tablets and phones of all sizes can easily be secured as well. When not in use, the case flattens up against the harness and can be secured out of the way. On the front of the case are strategic pockets and pouches that can hold multiple accessories and tools including, pens, a dB meter, microphones (both handheld and measurement), gaffers tape, cables, radios, picks, drum keys, wrenches, allen keys, and more.
The Two Hand Touch is an ergonomically better option — eliminating the need of holding tablets up for long periods which can cause cramping and other repetitive motion injuries in the hand and fatigue in the arms. With the Two Hand Touch, the lightweight harness takes the tablet and puts the weight at the center of the trunk of the body allowing for a healthier method of utilizing a tablet for long periods of time. The Two Hand Touch can stay attached to the user for as long as necessary without causing fatigue or muscle cramping and tightening.
The Two Hand Touch is also perfect for all other production professionals who need access to their iPads while working, including lighting designers and techs, stage managers and technical directors, film production pros, event and floor managers, and more.
Go here to get one. Leave a Comment
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West Pond Announces Entry-Level TV Channel Creator for the IPTV and RFTV Hospitality Market West Pond just launched the MX-100 Personal TV Channel Creator. The new MX-100 is a low cost, all-in-one, turnkey TV channel creation and distribution device that combines multiple streaming video sources, such as IP cameras, IPTV A/V, pre-recorded TS files, and captured/encoded HD video into a single multi-program transport stream (MPTS) – think RF modulator for the digital world with content creation capabilities. The resulting MPTS, which is compatible with US and international standards, is ready to view by one or all commercial and consumer TVs on your coax RF or IPTV network. The technology is applicable to facilities that wish to extend their TV channel lineup or utilize the DTV network to enable multi-media signage on one or more dedicated public area TVs such as hotels, schools, universities, apartment buildings, health clubs, restaurants and pubs, senior living centers, churches, hospitals and more.
To get your channel up, West Pond provides templates that simplify the creation of multimedia digital signage channels used to interleave advertisements with sporting events, promote hotel amenities, provide scheduled training videos, display live cameras, show the day’s events and activities, welcome new guests and more. Templates can be customized without coding, just drop files in folders and select from lists.
And, to check on your channel network remotely, The MX-100 supports the FlexStream Device Manager (FlexDM) which allows users to remotely manage all your FlexStream devices from any computer or smart phone.
The $2995 MX-100 is available now. Here are the more detailed specs. Leave a Comment
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TASCAM Unveils 202mkVII Dual Cassette Deck with USB
TASCAM‘s new 202mkVII dual cassette deck is the latest generation of the company’s professional cassette recorders. The 202mkVII’s most noteworthy new feature is a rear-panel USB output that enables recording and archiving cassettes to digital media. A front-panel ¼-inch, high-impedance (200 kΩ) microphone input with dedicated level control enables live input to be mixed with Tape 1 audio and recorded, in real time, to Tape 2 for karaoke and voiceover applications. The mic input also can accept line-level signals. In addition to the USB output, the rear panel provides stereo analog line-level input and output on unbalanced RCA connectors. A ¼-inch stereo headphone output with dedicated level knob is conveniently located on the front of the unit.
The dual twin-head cassette decks can record and play back independently, including recording simultaneously to create two tapes with the same source. Among other applications, this enables simultaneous creation of a master tape and a copy for distribution, skipping the need to duplicate the master tape. The two decks also provide real-time dubbing at the touch of one button. Tape 1 offers pitch control (±12%) and Tape 2 has a Return to Zero function.
The TASCAM 202mkVII offers two playback modes. Normal playback (as expected) routes sound to the line outputs and headphone output. In Special playback mode, you can monitor the sound from one tape using headphones, while the other tape plays through the line outputs, making it easy to cue another tape. A noise-reduction feature (the equivalent of Dolby B) reduces hiss during playback.
The 3U rack-mountable, professional tape deck supports recording and playback of Type I (normal) and Type II (chrome) cassette tapes, as well as playback with Type IV (metal) tapes. A dedicated wireless remote control is included.
The TASCAM 202mkVII is $499.99 and all the detailed specs are here. Leave a Comment
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Neutrik Announces NA2-IO-DLINE Dante I/O Interface Neutrik USA announced the NA2-IO-DLINE Dante I/O Interface. A two-in / two-out device, the Neutrik NA2-IO-DLINE simultaneously converts analog signals to Dante and Dante signals to analog. Genuine Neutrik input and output XLRs, along with a locking etherCON connector, provide professional-level connectivity. Four LED indicators provide network status as well as DANTE SYS and SYNC status.
The NA2-IO-DLINE has optional mounting brackets and rackmount panels are available for attaching the NA2-IO-DLINE to floors, walls, tables or racks.
With the ability to transmit signals up to 100 meters (328 feet) via CAT5e cable, the new NA2-IO-DLINE functions with nearly any network switch that provides Power over Ethernet or else a PoE injector. Creating and saving routing configurations is quick and easy using Audinate’s free Dante Controller software. The NA2-IO-DLINE is AES67 compliant.
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Vivitek Debuts DH768Z-UST Short Throw Projector Spec’d to Be Color Accurate Vivitek just launched the DH768-UST, an addition to Vivitek’s existing D760Z Series (the DH765Z-UST and the DW763Z-UST) of Ultra Short Throw projectors. But Vivitek says the DH768Z-UST is designed for environments that need to replicate exact colors or shades — such as a museum or gallery that wants to project an image of a painting or another work of art in its true colors. Its ultra-short throw projector design features an embedded reflective mirror. This allows for a projection size of an 80″ to 150″ diagonal image from 40 centimeters (16-inches) away from the screen.
The DH768Z-UST is DLP-based 1080p and WXGA (1920×1200) resolution projector that uses a laser phosphor light engine that’s specified to deliver 3100 ANSI lumens of brightness at a 12,000:1 contrast ratio. The DH768Z-UST has a sealed optical engine that’s designed to minimize the impact of dust and, thus, it’s designed to deliver up to 20,000 hours of operational time.
For install, it includes a manual zoom and focus and connectivity includes two HDMI ports, component video, composite video, s-video and VGA-in/out.
The DH768Z-UST lists £2,210 ex VAT. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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NEC Display Announces New 4K Resolution 10,000-Lumen ProjectorNEC Display Solutions of America today announced the release of a new 4K installation projector, the PX1005QL. The PX1005QL projector uses a laser light engine keeping TCO to a minimum and is designed for auditoriums, museums, theaters, sanctuaries, network operation centers and similar venues. It’s particularly useful for artwork, photos and other color-critical applications, as well as for CAD and architectural drawings where the maximum amount of detail is required.
The projector features a 1-chip DLP that produces 10,000 lumens and a viewable resolution of 3840×2160 and claims 20,000 hours of near maintenance-free performance with a sealed optical engine for low maintenance and low TCO. Additional features:
- Interchangeable lenses provides installation flexibility and ease of replacement
- Dual HDMI (HDCP v2.2), Dual DisplayPort, HDBaseT, Quad 3G SDI for support of native 4K sources
- Powered focus, zoom and lens shift allows for installation flexibility
- Edge blending, stacking, geometric correction and mapping capabilities to create images on alternative surfaces
- Cornerstone and geometric correction, which ensures an accurately portrayed image no matter where the projector is placed or what shape it’s projecting onto
- Roll free for dynamic installations and presentations
- 4K 60Hz support on HDMI, DP and HDBaseT inputs for connection to multiple 4K sources
The PX1005QL will be available for $24,000. Here are all the specs. Leave a Comment
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Barco XDL Laser Projector Now Carries a 75K-Lumen Spec Barco is launching a new range of laser projectors dubbed the XDL. Designed specifically for very large venues and events, the XDL is spec’d to be Rec. 2020 color, uses a native (4096×2160) 4K resolution 3-chip DLP system and can handle content up to 120Hz. The XDL will be launched to coincide with InfoComm 2018.
The XDL series also carries the brightest lumen spec ever, up to 75,000 lumens. Barco also says the XDL speeds up the installation process by reducing cable hassle and alignment time because the projectors provide a lens shift of up to 100 percent. And, images can be matched to the projection surface with the on-board real-time warping and blending feature.
Companies that already own Barco XLD+ lenses will be able to reuse them on the XDL projectors. Because they are all using a laser light source, image flicker and lamp-related costs and maintenance (such as lamp replacements) are eliminated. Compared to xenon projectors, the XDLs also consume 40% less power and ensure minimum downtime.
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TFCinfo’s Latest Research Reveals The Most Preferred Video Display Brands In American ChurchesFlat panel display use in the house of worship market has continued to grow rapidly according to TFCinfo’s recent research report entitled, “The Use of Video Displays in American Churches 2018.” Of the AV-focused churches that TFCinfo surveyed (churches that have made a strategic and financial commitment to integrate audio visual equipment in their worship service), 75 percent state that they own at least one flat panel display 32”+.
For over fourteen years TFCinfo has immersed themselves into the church market to assist manufacturers, dealers and integrators in better understanding this vast market segment, which is very unique and still often misunderstood. TFCinfo, in conjunction with Church Production Magazine and Church.Design.Magazine, recently surveyed 778 respondents, all of whom are responsible for the AV equipment at their place of worship, for this extensive end-user research study that explores the use of video displays in American churches.
“Flat panel display use is not only increasing dramatically at the large church level, churches of all sizes are embracing flat panel displays,” states Tanya Lippke, TFCinfo Director of Survey Market research. “61 percent of the churches surveyed with 0-300 seats currently use a flat panel display, 81 percent of churches with 301-1,000 seats and 91 percent of churches with 1,000+ seats also state that they have incorporated flat panel displays into their facilities.”
These bright displays are a very appealing and affordable option for churches. This is especially true as churches are increasingly turning to display technologies to improve communications with attendees and churches are adopting more ways in which they can use video to connect. Churches are using video displays in classrooms, in their secondary meeting spaces, smaller auditoriums, as well as foyers and lobbies that are now becoming more of a gathering area for many where digital signage is important.
This report analyzes each of the video display types separately (projectors, stand alone flat panel displays, and LED panels used as components of LED video walls) and also in comparison to each other. “It is extremely interesting to see the contrast between projectors and flat panels when it comes to churches and how they use them. In some aspects it is as if one display is compensating for the perceived pitfalls of the other. Regardless, churches are finding locations and uses for both display types” states Lippke. “This may change, so our research includes areas of questioning that deal with future replacement for each technology. Will projectors be considered to replace large 60”+ flat panel displays in the future? Are the flat panel displays being purchased today in addition to displays the churches already own, or are they being purchased to replace a projector or previous flat panel? Through this tracking research it’s been fascinating to see firsthand the changes that have taken place and the ones that will likely take place in the future in this market.”
Churches, regardless of size, are buying more projectors and displays than ever before in the past, and they are being used for a wider number of purposes as churches become more technically sophisticated.
Not only is it interesting to see video display usage continue to grow in this important market, it is also interesting to see some big business brands fair extremely well in areas of purchase consideration. Epson, Panasonic, Sony, Hitachi, Christie and Eiki are the projector brands being most considered for purchase in the overall church market. Canon, BenQ, NEC, Optoma, InFocus and Viewsonic also do well, especially among the smaller churches. For flat panel displays Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, Panasonic and Sharp are the top brands that are being considered for purchase.
The religious market continues to grow, and churches are still waiting for more manufacturers and dealers to understand their needs and respond with appropriate solutions, support and guidance.
In this report TFCinfo analyzes the church market as a whole and also breaks the sample by church size (seats). This allows companies to compare and contrast the preferences and purchasing of churches of varying sizes across the US.
This 275+ page report describes the following areas in detail:
- Market Trends in American Churches
- Attendance and Satellite Locations
- Projector Use, Purchasing, and Preferences
- Flat Panel Display Use, Purchasing, and Preferences
- LED Video Wall Use and Purchasing
- Networked Displays, Future Purchases, and AV Budgets
- How to Sell and to Whom
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Audix Microphone Presets Now on Allen & Heath Qu Series Digital Mixers Audix has announced a collaboration with Allan & Heath on adding presets for the Allen & Heath Qu series of compact digital mixers. The new ProFactory mic presets cover a wide range of popular Audix models, including the SCX25A condenser vocal microphone, the D2, D4, D6, and i5 dynamic instrument microphones and the OM series of dynamic vocal microphones, and will help Qu users of all abilities quickly achieve great results with the popular Audix products.
Audix worked with Allan & Heath to ensure that the settings were optimized for each mic paired with Qu’s AnalogiQ Preamps.
The presets are available now as a free download from the Qu series product pages. You can go here. Leave a Comment
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Radial’s New Compact Mixer Presenter Ships Radial Engineering has announced their $299 Presenter is now shipping. The Presenter is a compact mixer that combines a microphone pre-amp and a USB program input to create the ultimate interface for any presentation, from school lectures to corporate audio.
The USB input on the Presenter allows for direct connection to a laptop for high quality audio playback, perfect for presentations that include digital audio files, or for DJ applications. This connection also provides power for the Presenter, eliminating the need to carry around a separate power adapter. For connection to mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets, a 3.5mm stereo input jack is included on the front of the unit, and can be adjusted using the program level control. The XLR microphone input is paired with low and high EQ controls to tailor the frequency response, along with a low cut filter that rolls off excessive low end.
Both the microphone and the playback signals are mixed to stereo XLR balanced outputs, which can be connected directly to a PA system or a pair of powered speakers. A mono switch is provided if only one speaker is needed and a ground lift ensures that the output signal is clean and free of buzz or hum from ground loops.
The Presenter’s compact size allows it to easily fit on a desktop or podium, and it includes a port for a Kensington lock to secure it for permanent installations. As an added benefit, the Presenter can also be used as a USB recording interface, so speeches or lectures can be recorded for later use.
Here is info on the Presenter. Leave a Comment
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For all you REGULAR readers of rAVe HOW 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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