Volume 7, Issue 8 — August 29, 2016
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Aeiforia Technos
- Charge!
Raymond Kent : Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group Editorial
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Charge!
By Raymond Kent Managing Principal, Sustainable Technologies Group
My company has been knee deep in the design of high end audiovisual technology for a major new health education client and one of the main drivers of the project is to allow for as much portable wireless technology as possible – laptops, cell phones, tables, etc. There are a few major concerns with this directive in which we have to overcome – power being a really big one. This one rises to the top of the objectives as the client is really big on sustainability and has been recognized by not only their industry but even the current presidential administration as being a leader in environmental consciousness.
With most of the students and faculty expected to have multiple devices in which to use for everything from class work, labs, research and even socializing these devices will need to be powered and recharged constantly. This is in addition to any of the audiovisual technology that is powered via battery that will be integrated into to project for everything from presentation to collaboration. The design team has taken care to explore what the current state of power demand is and to look into the crystal ball as to what it might be when this facility opens as a leading example of medical education in the future. As a result of this permeability of technology, the power demand has the potential to be significant by sheer quantity, not necessarily by the individual power draw of each device.
Currently most of these devices, as well as other technologies that run on batteries, rely on lithium-ion battery power. Lithium-ion has become the standard bearer of battery technology for its ability to store dense energy and recharge rather quickly compared to nickel-cadmium, nickel metal hydride or older alkaline batteries and others. The benefit of being able to recharge rather than replace has had a huge impact of battery usage and what ultimately would wind up in a land fill.
Limitations of many of these technologies has ranged from battery life, recharge cycles, speed of recharge and the environmental impact of the materials used in the process and product of making these energy capsules. Recently however a new technology has emerged that is sure to have a ripple effect in portable batter powered devices. Researchers at Australia’s Swinburne University developed a new batter technology using a unique form of carbon called graphene and super capacitors. Graphene is a super strong, super flexible form of carbon that has several unique properties suitable to this application including its ability to store and transfer electricity. This works because of the honey-comb shape of the graphene material having an increased surface area. The technique developed addresses many of the shortcomings of lithium-ion batteries including the number of times you can recharge them before they die, capacity of the charge, the environmental impact and the heat generated by both the charging and discharging process.
Researchers have worked for years trying to perfect superconductor batter replacements but the storage capacity has always been the limiting factor. By inserting the graphene sheets between the layers capacity and efficiency levels soared. Additionally, the environmental benefits are immediate as the graphene sheets can be 3D printed, which eliminates waste in the manufacturing process. It is made of carbon so it is neutral and harmless to the environment as well as recyclable. Since the re-charge capacity is not only immensely faster (seconds to minutes, not hours) with also a significant increase in the number of times it can be recharged before losing strength, the technology is positioned as a prime candidate for replacing your next set of batteries. Additionally, as a result of the way in which these batteries can be manufactured, the costs should be comparable or less than lithium-based batteries and will certainly be more cost-effective in terms of total ownership due to the number of recharges it can handle of lithium. Also, since the graphene sheets can be 3D-printed and are flexible, new battery shapes are possible and could even potentially be seen in wearable fabrics or intricate designs of 3D structures with minimal limitations as the graphene can also be used to develop the electronics signal pathways with batteries built into a flexible circuit board. This is still in the research phase, but it certainly will be interesting to see how it will impact building and technology design in the future and its impact on power demand. Leave a Comment
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The Cost of Late Adoption
By Mark Coxon rAVe Blogger
If you are a student of technology adoption, you’ve most likely seen this curve.
It’s the Technology Adoption curve and it reveals how people adopt technology over time. Looking at the curve as an integrator, you may use this curve to justify a delayed entry into a tech market. After all, around 70 percent of consumers don’t come into the market until the middle. If you take that viewpoint, you’re not alone. In fact, according to data I heard come out of the InfoComm standards plenary, integrators seem to adopt new technology into their businesses in almost exactly the same way consumers do, with the majority waiting for the swell in the middle. I think that this is a major mistake.
Before you start to disagree too much, let me lay out why I think there is a unique advantage for integration companies to be innovators and early adopters when it comes to offering new products and services in their businesses.
First off, it’s a marketing and sales advantage. 70 percent to 85 percent of the integration community is probably not telling this new technology story to their clients yet. That’s a great advantage when pitching a job, especially if the client is tech conscious or savvy themselves. However, I think there is a unique advantage in the actual numbers as well.
Let’s look at another common curve. The Product Life Cycle curve.
This curve, when over laid on the Technology Adoption curve above, shows that most integrators are waiting until growth has been demonstrated or sometimes even until the product has reached full maturity. This may not sound like a bad thing. In fact, the terms growth and maturity seem to denote stability.
But stability and profitability are two different things.
Now given all of the above let’s look at a couple curves I came up with in thinking through this adoption trend.
The first is the product margin curve.
When a product is first introduced and is novel or innovative, higher prices will be paid by consumers. Given this, typically products have higher margins as they are introduced and as the product reaches maturity and then market saturation, those margins fall and then level off at some small differential above the manufacturing costs.
But selling the product is only half of your integration business. Unless you are a box mover, you are selling installation, programming and support services with these products as well — so you also have a Labor Margin curve to factor in here as well.
Notice anything? It’s almost the opposite of the Product Margin curve. In the beginning, when a technology is new, your integration firm will inevitably spend more time training and installing the product, troubleshooting errors, etc. However, as the product reaches maturity, labor margins increase with the efficiency of the installations, programming and support of the product.
Given this, you really need to look at the sum of both graphs to get a good picture of the Profit curve of a integrating a new technology. If the product costs and integration costs are about equal, then you get something like this.
As you can see the green line is the sum of the two margin curves for Product (orange) and Labor (blue). Of course depending on the price of the product(s) in the system, these curves could move slightly. The point is however that in the example above, the integrator in question adopts the technology early. This means that the product margins offset additional labor expenditure during the learning phase, and then as product margins decrease, the integrators experience with the product provides advantages in actual integration costs to increase labor margins. Overall, the two competing curves can level each other out, creating a stable profit line over time for the technology itself.
But what happens to the integrator who waits?
A delayed entry into the market in growth or maturity mode means that the integrator will not take advantage of early, higher product margins. However, the labor margin curve remains. As an integrator, it still takes your team some time to become familiar with the technology and gain those economies. The result is a product margin curve that remains the same and a labor margin curve that is delayed.
As you can see the delayed entry affects the stability of the green profit line. If you look at the curve profit curve above, you’ll notice that profit actually decreases initially, and that many times causes an integrator to rethink their entry into the new market and perhaps retreat, not knowing that the trend is a direct result of the late entry, and will at some point climb back up as efficiencies in installation and programming are realized.
If you want to compare the profit curves of integrator 1 and integrator 2, it looks something like this.
If you take a look at the two profit curves above, an early entry into the market not only allows Integrator 1 (dark green) the opportunity to turn profit for more time than Integrator 2 (light green), but also gives them an advantage in profit during a huge portion of the Technology Adoption cycle as a whole. They have earned higher profits that allow them to be more competitive in a bid situation as well as present a longer track record of success with the technology.
All in all, the early adopter from an integration perspective can benefit greatly from adopting technology early, capturing a large percentage of early adopters and also creating advantages downstream as the technology matures that allows the same firm to continue an advantage until the product fades toward decline.
From a product manufacturing perspective, many argue that being second may be better than being first in that the follower can learn from the leaders mistakes. That may also be true here with integration if the delay to market is relatively small. However, even in manufacturing, no one argues that there is an advantage to entering the market in the middle or at the end. It may be a good time to look at the way your integration firm is adopting new technology to see if you’re benefiting from an early mover advantage.
I’d love to hear your take here. Feel free to use the comments below to start the conversation. Leave a Comment
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Extron Announces New HDMI Cable Equalizer for 4K/60 Sources Extron just introduced the HD 4K 101 Plus, an HDMI cable equalizer supporting video signals at resolutions up to 4K/60 with 4:4:4 chroma sampling. Used at the destination end of a long cable run, the HD 4K 101 Plus actively equalizes poor or marginal source signals, reduces jitter and skew, and adds output pre-emphasis to reliably extend the HDMI signal. The HDCP 2.2-compliant equalizer supports HDMI 2.0b specification features, including data rates up to 18 Gbps, HDR, Deep Color up to 12-bit, 3D, HD lossless audio formats and CEC. To streamline integration, the 1/8 rack wide unit can be powered by the connected HDMI source or an optional external power supply.
The HD 4K 101 Plus compensates for poor HDMI source signals and low-quality cabling. It can be used in conjunction with products such as the Extron HD 4K 110 Series to provide a cost effective solution for extending 4K video signals between the source and the display. DDC channels are actively buffered, allowing pass-through of EDID and HDCP information between source and display. EDID pass-through ensures that the source video is at the optimal resolution for the display, and HDCP 2.2 compliance enables extension of encrypted content from Blu-ray players, satellite and cable TV tuners, DVRs, laptop computers, and other HDCP-enabled sources. These capabilities and other features such as a compact enclosure and ability to be powered by the source device make the HD 4K 101 Plus an indispensable addition to AV designs and existing systems with 4K video requirements.
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Bose Professional Ships New Line of PowerShare Adaptable Amplifiers Bose is now shipping its new PowerShare adaptable power amplifier line, consisting of three 1U models: two- and four-channel fixed-install models (PS602 and PS604) and one two-channel portable amplifier (PS602P). Each model delivers 600 watts of power that can be shared across all output channels. With support for both low- and high-impedance loads up to 100V, PowerShare amplifiers adapt to a wide range of applications. Onboard configurable loudspeaker processing and direct access to zone controllers eliminate the need for an additional signal processor in many installations, while outstanding audio performance and reliability are assured with patented technologies inherited from the field-proven PowerMatch line.
Patented PowerShare technology allows installers to use total amplifier power in the application. This enables more flexibility during the initial design, or later on-site when making unplanned changes that take advantage of surplus power.
For applications requiring additional signal processing, the PowerShare Editor software offers real-time selection and control of Bose loudspeaker EQs, 9-band PEQs, mixing, crossover, limiters, delay and mute/output polarity through a USB connection. For basic setups without a PC, rear-panel settings allow installers to recall Bose loudspeaker equalization and protection per output channel. These features eliminate the need for an external signal processor in many applications.
Bose PowerShare products are here. Leave a Comment
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New Crestron DM-DGE-200-C Claims Simple Meeting Room Solution Crestron announced today it is now shipping its new DigitalMedia DM-DGE-200-C, designed to be a simple meeting room solution for multiple applications. It offers auto-switching between HDMI and 4K/60 DM input (4:2:0), auto-display on/off, and H.264 decoding, IR control and direct connectivity to Microsoft Exchange and Crestron Fusion Cloud via the LAN port. And, the DM-DGE-200-C has a built-in graphics engine to generate custom welcome screens and messaging.
A web-based setup tool built into the DM-DGE-200-C allows it to connect directly to Microsoft Exchange to show the room’s availability on the room display, or detailed meeting information, including the organizer’s name, subject of the meeting, start time, and the duration of the meeting. During the meeting, the room calendar information, including a countdown clock to show the time remaining, can be displayed over the presentation video. The DM-DGE-200-C also connects directly to Crestron Fusion Cloud enterprise management service using the web-based setup tool.
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Matrox Ships C900 Graphics Card, a Single-Slot, Nine-Output Graphics Card Matrox Graphics today announced that the Matrox C900, a single-slot, nine-output graphics card, is now available.
The Matrox C900 is a single-slot, PCI Express x16 graphics card that drives nine displays at resolutions of up to 1920×1200@60Hz per output. Designed to power 3×3 or 9×1 video walls, C900 delivers one ultra-large desktop across all attached displays, ideal for digital signage, presentation, and video wall applications.
A special-purpose card designed to power 3×3 or 9×1 video walls, two Matrox C900 cards can be combined to create 6×3 or 3×6 video walls from one system, with the board-to-board framelock feature ensuring all displays are synchronized to reduce tearing. The C900, with its high reliability, outstanding performance, and low-power consumption delivers a cost-effective video wall solution for enterprise, industrial, pro A/V, digital signage, security, control rooms, and more.
Matrox C900 is a PCI Express 3.0 x16 graphics card with 4GB of memory that supports nine displays at a maximum resolution of 1920×1200 per display or a total desktop resolution of 5760×3600 in a 3×3 display configuration. More displays can be supported by pairing two C900 cards in a system to power an 18-screen video wall. The board-to-board framelock feature ensures synchronization of all displays. C900 features nine mini-HDMI connectors, supports digital audio through HDMI, and is DirectX 12 and OpenGL 4.4 compliant.
Compatible with the Matrox Mura IPX Series 4K capture and IP encode and decode cards, the C900 is also supported by Matrox MuraControl video wall management software for Windows and iPad, allowing users to create, save and edit video wall layouts offline or in real time so their content appears exactly where and how they want it.
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Eiki Debuts the EK-600U and EK-601W DLP Conference Series Projectors Eiki just launches the EK-600U and EK-601W Conference Series Projectors with support for HDBaseT, HDMI and DisplayPort. Both models provide two HDMI ports.
The Eiki EK-600U is spec’d at 6,000 ANSI lumens brightness with 85 percent uniformity and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. It offers horizontal, vertical and corner keystone correction and its native resolution is WUXGA (1920×1200). The EK-600U’s specs include:
- Zoom Max: Min: 1.8:1
- Throw: Width 1.20-2.16:1
- Lens shift vertical is +100~120 percent (Manual)
- Len shift Horizontal: +/-10 percent (Manual)
The EK-601W projector is 5,500 ANSI lumens brightness with 80 percent uniformity and a 10,000:1 contrast ratio. Like the EK-600U, the EK-601W provides horizontal, vertical and corner keystone correction for superior image control. The projector’s native resolution is WXGA (1366×768). The projector’s estimated lamp life is 7,000 in eco mode or 4,000 hours in normal mode. Other EK-601W specs include:
- Zoom Max: Min: 1.8:1
- Throw: Width 1.20-2.16:1
- Lens Shift Vertical is +100~120 percent (Manual)
- Lens Shift Horizontal : +/-10 percent (Manual)
List price for the EK-600U is $4,195 and the EK-601W is $2,795. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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New Crestron DM Finally Supports Dante Audio Networking Crestron announced today that DigitalMedia now supports the Dante audio networking protocol with its new input and output blades for 64×64 and 128×128 DM matrix switchers. Now shipping, the 4K HDMI (4:2:0) and Dante Input Blade for DM Switchers (DMB-4K-I-HD-DNT) provides eight HDMI inputs, while the 4K HDMI and Dante Output Blade for DM Switchers (DMB-4K-O-HD-DNT) provides eight HDMI outputs with built-in 4K scaling. CEC embedded device control is possible with the addition of a control system.
Dante is the preferred industry networking protocol for transmitting HD audio over Ethernet, adopted by more pro audio AV manufacturers than any other networking technology.
A common application is for use with video conference systems. Send content from a source, a laptop for example, and connect it to the HDMI port of the DMB-4K-I-HD-DNT; internal processing extracts the HD audio and outputs as Dante over Ethernet through the LAN port on the DM CPU blade. The audio is then sent to a local DSP in a conference room, which mixes the program audio with the microphones. The mixed audio is then sent out to a codec.
Analog audio inputs and outputs are enabled by connecting the optional Analog Audio Breakout Box (AUD-BOB-1602) to the Dante blades in the DM switcher.
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Extron Debuts Quantum Ultra Modular 4K Videowall ProcessorExtron just introduced the Quantum Ultra, a modular 4K videowall processor with 4K scaling and windowing technology for a wide range of applications. The Quantum Ultra features the Extron Vector 4K 4:4:4 scaling engine and 400 Gbps HyperLane video bus capable of carrying a multitude of high-resolution sources for unmatched real-time performance. A single processor can support multiple videowalls with mixed resolutions and screen orientations, providing flexible system design with minimal complexity and cost. Customizable output resolutions, output overlap, and mullion compensation provide compatibility with nearly any display technology. RS-232 and Ethernet interfaces provide direct connections for control systems.
Quantum Ultra utilizes a modular card-frame architecture that can be populated with input and output cards selected to match source and display requirements. Multiple card frames can be configured and operated as a single system to accommodate any size videowall. Quantum Ultra can accommodate a mixture of display devices with varying resolutions. Features such as output overlap, mullion compensation, output rotation, and custom output resolutions provide compatibility with current and future display devices.
An interesting future-ready feature is that the Extron HyperLane bus has a maximum throughput of 400 Gbps, sufficient to simultaneously carry more than twenty 4K/60 sources with 4:4:4 chroma sampling. It also possesses the bandwidth required to support evolving signal formats, such as 8K, and the higher resolutions, high dynamic range – HDR, greater color depth, and expanded color gamut these signals will provide.
Sources can be windowed and positioned anywhere on the video display. Static image files such as logos and maps can be stored locally on the Quantum Ultra, and displayed with full keying and alpha channel support. Internally generated clocks can be presented in a variety of time formats, in multiple time zones. The integrated VNC client can decode multiple simultaneous VNC server streams for presentation on the videowall. Custom color borders can be applied to any window, with support for rounded corners, drop shadows, flashing, and transparency.
Quantum Ultra was engineered for continuous operation in mission-critical environments. Redundant, hot swappable power supplies, dual IEC power connections, a write-protected, solid-state operating system drive, and secure communication protocols, ensure system redundancy, security, and stability.
Quantum Ultra setup and preset configuration are performed using Extron VCS – Videowall Configuration Software. System configuration is broken down into logical tasks, such as wall configuration, source setup, preset design, and EDID Minder for simplified integration. Online and offline editing allows creation and configuration of systems with or without an attached processor. Familiar editing controls streamline layering, aligning, and sizing of source windows. Live and Preview modes provide the option for immediate or controlled wall response to edits. With an intuitive workflow and familiar interface, VCS provides efficient configuration of any Extron 4K videowall processor.
This intuitive application simplifies configuration of even the largest and most complex systems. Settings and preset changes within the software are automatically synchronized and stored on the videowall processor, facilitating direct RS232 or Ethernet connection of remote control systems to the Quantum Ultra card frame.
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Comprehensive Intros CHE-HDBT300U HDBaseT 2.0 4K Extender with USB Comprehensive Connectivity just debuted a 4K-capabale HDBaseT 2.0 Extender with USB convergence and Transmitter and Receiver (CHE-HDBT300U) capable of sending HDMI up to 330 feet using Cat5e/6/7 cable.
The CHE-HDBT300U allows the transmission of HDBaseT (5Play) features that include 4K2K@60Hz (YCbCr 4:2:0) video, audio, control (IR or RS232), Power over Ethernet (PoE) and an Ethernet connection. The Transmitter or Receiver can be powered by the PoE function using one power cable and the Extender set can support the connection of USB host and two USB devices that can control the source from the Sink side. The set is HDCP 2.2 compliant for protected content streaming.
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Extron Intros 19 New eBUS Button Panels, Including Four New Decora-Style Models Extron has launched 19 new eBUS Button Panels, including the four models for Decora wallplates — the EBP 106P D, EBP 108 D, EBP 110 D, and EBP 111 D. These Decora models are easy-to-use control panels that connect to an IPCP Pro control processor to perform a wide variety of AV system functions such as On/Off, input switching, volume control, and much more. They feature customizable, soft-touch buttons that are backlit for easy operation in low-light environments. Each model features two eBUS ports for easy system expansion. eBUS button panels are linked to the control processor and to each other using a single cable that carries both power and communication. All eBUS Decora-style eBUS button panels include black and white wallplates and mud ring.
Extron’s eBUS technology is based on a unique digital bus architecture that allows for easy control system expansion, greater design options and future upgrades. A single eBUS button panel can be used as the AV control interface for a smaller system or multiple button panels and touchpanels may be combined when a more elaborate control system is required.
eBUS button panels come in industry-standard form factors and multiple units may be linked together by a single cable that carries both power and communication. Since they have the same physical appearance as Extron’s broad range of MediaLink controllers, eBUS button panels can be used alongside them throughout a facility while preserving a consistent look and user experience. Buttons can be easily customized using the online Custom Button Builder application.
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InFocus Intros Mondopad Ultra InFocus today announced Mondopad Ultra — a new line of what InFocus is calling “premium” of high-end multi-touch collaboration displays. The Mondopad Ultra is available in 80-inch and 85-inch screen sizes.
The InFocus Mondopad offers both digital whiteboard and videoconferencing capabilities as well as it allows team members in multiple locations to see and hear each other while brainstorming on a shared whiteboard and to collaboratively edit documents and draw directly onscreen enabling real-time progress and more effective meetings. Documents can be saved to the Mondopad for future access and can be emailed to anyone directly from the device.
InFocus’ new 85-inch Mondopad Ultra joins the 80-inch Mondopad Ultra as the first in the Mondopad product line to employ 4K screen resolution (3840×2160 natively). In addition to 4K resolution, Mondopad Ultra has a standard Windows 10 Pro OS integrated on a premium computer. Offering a sixth-generation Intel Core i7-6700T processor and Q170 chipset with Intel vPro technology and 256 GB solid state hard drive, the Mondopad Ultra is seamlessly and securely integrated into existing enterprise infrastructure. Mondopad Ultra is compatible with legacy videoconferencing and display hardware and software, including Skype for Business, Office and OneNote, with cloud-based application support and advanced wireless casting, including AirPlay and Chrome. Mondopad Ultra offers the security features native to Windows 10 Pro and the robust collaboration features of SIP and H323. As conference rooms, classrooms and collaboration environments evolve and change, Mondopad offers the cross-platform, future-proof and legacy compatibility you’ll need.
The 4K 80-inch INF8022 Mondopad Ultra is available now in the US and the 85-inch INF8521 Mondopad Ultra will be available in September worldwide. Here are the details. Leave a Comment
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Extron Thinks Globally with New Flex55 System Featuring Worldwide AV Connectivity Extron’s new Flex55 series of connectivity mounting solutions is globally-focused in that it works to specify in any country in the world! Flex55 consists of modules, mounting frames, and enclosures that work with all standard EU mounting systems. Designed for global-compatibility, Flex55 modular, interchangeable components can be installed almost anywhere, including Europe, Asia, North America and all other world markets. The modules are available for a variety of active and passive functions, including XTP and DTP transmitters and receivers, eBus button panels and other AV connectivity solutions. A broad range of AV products are Flex55 compatible, just look for Flex55 and EU models that feature the Flex55-compatible logo.
The Flex55 Series includes a variety of products to create a custom solution. Flex55 SuperPlates offer HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, stereo audio and USB connectivity. Flex55 100 Series Power Modules are available with U.S., Europe, multi-region and USB outlets. The Flex55 AC 101 Multi-Region module is compatible with a variety of AC plug types. In addition, the Flex55 USB PowerPlate 102 provides two 5 VDC USB power outlets and up to 2.1 A / 10.5 watts of power for charging iOS devices and Android phones or tablets.
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BenQ Launches CH100 LED Projector Aimed at Meeting Room Market BenQ America today announced the availability of the 1080p resolution CH100, the company’s first portable LED projector and using single-chip DLP. Covering a wide color gamut of 90 percent NTSC, the CH100 reproduces the sRGB color standard and has five picture modes — Graphic sRGB, Motion Graphics, Lectures, Vivid Color and Cinema settings.
Powered by a 20,000-hour lamp-free LED light source, the CH100 is spec’d at 1,000 ANSI lumens. The CH100 is approximately the same size of a 13-inch laptop, making is small enough to easily slip into a portfolio. Inputs are three HDMI (with one doubling as an MHL port) and it turns on instantly (now power-up sequence) and features automatic aspect ratio, keystone and source detection.
The CH100 is equipped with short-throw capability to project large 81-inch images from just 6 feet away. Additionally, an optional QCast wireless full HD 1080p streaming dongle stows into a concealed compartment. The BenQ CH100 is now shipping and lists for $1,799. Here are the specs. Leave a Comment
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Five Casio Projectors Now TCO Certified Casio announced today that, effective July 13, 2016, five of its lamp-free projectors, including the XJ-F210WN, have been TCO Certified. TCO Certified is an international third-party sustainability certification for IT products administered by TCO Development, a non-profit organization based in Sweden. The five projectors meet the latest TCO Certified Projectors 2.0 criteria.
TCO Certified products meet life cycle criteria for environment, health and safety, ergonomics and socially responsible manufacturing. In order to be TCO Certified, products must undergo rigorous verification of multiple factors in all phases of the product life cycle, including: socially responsible manufacturing during the manufacturing phase; safety, product lifetime, and energy efficiency during use; and elimination or reduction of hazardous substances and responsible end-of-life handling.
TCO Certified Projectors 2.0 criteria also require that products meet criteria for high-quality display image and be equipped with an Eco Mode that consumes less energy and reduces the acoustic noise level. Additionally, the projector and all assemblies and sub-assemblies of the product must not contain mercury or other hazardous substances, and the total amount of mercury used in the lamp must be declared.
Since 2010, Casio has been using laser and LED light sources in all of its projector models, eliminating any use of lamps that contain mercury. These five Casio models, newly released in 2016, are the first lamp-free projectors to be TCO Certified.
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Extron Introduces eBUS Button Panels for Volume Control and Video Transport Extron has introduced nine additional eBUS Button Panels. Six of these provide volume control, microphone level and muting control, while the other three provide full-featured video transport control. All of these easy-to-use control panels connect to an IPCP Pro control processor and feature customizable, soft-touch buttons that are backlit for easy operation in low-light environments. Each model features two eBUS ports for easy system expansion. eBUS button panels are linked to the control processor and to each other using a single cable that carries both power and communication. eBUS Button Panels are available in Decora, EU and MK form factors. For applications worldwide, the EU models are compatible with Flex55 modules, mounting kits and enclosures.
Extron’s integration-friendly eBUS technology is based on a unique digital bus architecture that allows for easy control system expansion, greater design options, and future upgrades. As with our TouchLink Pro touchpanels, eBUS button panels are designed for use with any Extron IPCP Pro Series control processor. A single eBUS button panel can be used as the AV control interface for a smaller system or multiple button panels and touchpanels may be combined when a more elaborate control system is required.
eBUS button panels come in industry-standard form factors and multiple units may be linked together by a single cable that carries both power and communication. Since they have the same physical appearance as Extron’s broad range of MediaLink controllers, eBUS button panels can be used alongside them throughout a facility while preserving a consistent look and user experience. Buttons can be easily customized using the online Custom Button Builder application.
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DigitalSignBuilder.Com Releases A Digital Signage Solution Aimed at Hospitals and Doctors’ OfficesDigitalSignBuilder.com has announced an “out-of-the-box digital signage solution” for hospitals, doctor offices, clinics and waiting rooms.
DigitalSignBuilder’s new hospital facility digital signage packages allow organizations to blend instant answers to patient questions, important policy updates, available services, payment options, insurance information and other relevant notifications into an easy to manage the system. Features include:
- Keeping staff up to date on policies and HR news
- Provide live, training of new protocols and procedures
- Share news of charity drives and health fairs
- Display wait times and valuable insurance information
- Entertain with feeds of health facts, tips, and advice
In addition, the new Hospital Wayfinding Digital Signage package allows for facilities to provide patients and visitors with Pinch and Zoom 3D “You are here” multi-floor multi-building maps. Every map can be connected to an interactive directory for one-click map directions. Each directory listing can feature a description, image and phone number of the destination. Here are all the details. Leave a Comment
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Altinex Debuts Neutron MT322-105 and MT322-107 Power Distribution Cards for the MT302-201 Digital MultiTaskerAltinex just introduce the MT322-105 and MT322-107 power distribution cards for use with its MT302-201 Digital MultiTasker. Both units distribute AC power from a single AC source to multiple AC outlets. With these one-in, three-out AC power distribution cards, the outlets can be connected to any type of audio/video equipment. And both cards have built-in current measuring circuits to detect load levels. The value of these loads may be read over the IP port and an alarm can be triggered when power is exceeded.
The MT322-105 contains an IEC male connector for the AC supply input and standard NEMA 5-15R power receptacles for the three outputs. Built in sensors alert the user by flashing the LEDs when the load exceeds 9.5 Amp as well as a warning message over the IP port when the current draw approaches the maximum 10.5-amp limit. The MT322-107 international version contains one IEC male connector for the AC power supply input and three IEC 320 female outlets. With this model, sensors alert the user when the load exceeds 8.5 amps and a warning message is sent over the IP port when the current draw approaches the maximum 10-amp limit. Both cards have safety provisions that cause the cards to automatically start turning outlets off should the system approach maximum power draw. A message informing the user that outputs are being shutdown is sent to the MT302-201 Digital MultiTasker’s IP port.
Both the MT322-105 and MT322-107 are able to turn audio/video equipment on or off in a sequential order and the time delay between switching is also programmable from 0-50 seconds. The threshold level for the on/off detect feature is adjustable to accommodate different loads and determine when AV equipment is on or off.
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beyerdynamic Debuts New Gooseneck and Array Microphones with Programmable Button beyerdynamic has extended its product range of the Classis installation microphone series with new gooseneck and vertical Revoluto Array microphones, which are fitted with programmable buttons. The button functions can be easily selected with a rotary control.
By using the programmable button of the SP variants you can select the operating mode ON/OFF, Push-To-Talk or Push-To-Mute. The microphone button can also be completely disabled. Furthermore, there are two settings of the frequency response possible: linear or with bass roll-off to suppress low-frequency noise. The LED ring to display the microphone status can be deactivated.
In addition to the features of the SP variants, the RC version allows the operation by an external control. In addition to this an external device can be controlled via the control output when operating the microphone button.
Versions:
- Classis GM 313 SP – gooseneck microphone, 300 mm (12“) long, LED ring, programmable button
- Classis GM 315 SP – gooseneck microphone, 500 mm (20“) long, LED ring, programmable button
- Classis GM 315 RC – gooseneck microphone, 500 mm (20“) long, LED ring, programmable button, remote control
- Classis RM 31 SP – array microphone with Revoluto Technology, LED ring, programmable button
- Classis RM 31 RC – array microphone with Revoluto technology, LED ring, programmable button, remote control
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