Will Skype-Embedded LCD HDTVs Have An Impact on the VTC Market? Did you know that Skye embedded HDTVs are a few months away from shipping? Skype has signed a deal with LG and Panasonic to integrate their videoconferencing technology into future HDTVs. Skype’s service integrated into the LCDs would allow for free video calls with other Skype users – and may even be compatible with 3rd party videoconferencing services like those from Polycom and Cisco – in addition to Apple’s iChat service.
The service, scheduled to be started mid-2010, will be supported by a separate line of “higher-end” HDTS offered by LG and Panasonic and will require at least a 1Mbps Internet connection – however, it will be available via wireless and wired connectivity.
To learn more about the offering, go to: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0425162920100105 Back to Top Crestron Launches 6-Inch Touch Panel Aimed at Hospitality Market Last week, Crestron announced the release of the TPS-6XNL 6-inch wireless touch panel, a non-locking version of the TPS-6X. Just like the TPS-6X, it’s a tabletop and portable touch panel, but Crestron says what makes the 6XNL different is there is no latching hardware, making it very simple to dock and undock.
While docked, the TPS-6XNL is a wired Cresnet or Ethernet-connected panel with full-motion video display, but off the dock, the panel automatically switches to a wireless RF device. TPS-6XNL includes two-way RF communication up to 200 feet and 1-way IR. Sitting on the docking station, the TPS-6X is recharging its battery and communicating as a wired touch panel via Ethernet or Cresnet and the Ethernet connection (802.15.4) enables full motion video display in a scalable or full-size window.
To see all the TPS-6XNL’s specs, go to: http://www.crestron.com/products/show_products.asp?jump=1&model=TPS-6X&tab=models Back to Top Sanyo Launches Two New Short-Throw Lens Mounts with Built-in Speakers Targeted to the educational market, the MT-EDU 101 and MT-EDU 102 eliminate the need to use the projector’s internal speakers (does anyone actually build systems to use the internal speakers?) or a separate audio system by incorporating a 50-watt two-channel amplifier and two powerful 25-watt rated two-way speakers into the chassis of the wall mount. MSRP is $949 for the MT-EDU101 and MSRP is $999 for the extended-length MT-EDU102. Both models will become available in April 2010.
For short throws, the MT-EDU101 extends 7 to 27 inches from the wall, and for longer throw distances, the otherwise identical MT-EDU102 adds an extension pole to place the projector 37 to 67 inches from the wall. These can be mounted either to single or dual studs on 16”, 18”, or 24” spacing, and can also be mounted to concrete.
The projectors don't appear to be on their website yet, but when they are, they will be here: http://us.sanyo.com/Commercial-Projectors
Back to Top Sanyo Launches 4500 Lumen 7-Pound Projector The new XGA resolution (1024×768) 3LCD projector, dubbed the PLC-XU116 from Sanyo, is specified at 4500 ANSI lumens, a 1000:1 contrast ratio, and is aimed at education installs – although rAVe sees this as a simple, small conference room projector as well.
Integrated with both wireless and wired network connectivity, the 7-pound PLC-XU116 isn’t the quietest LCD projector on the market at 30dB, but it is far quieter than any DLP version with similar specs. The PLC-XU116 includes DVI and VGA connectivity as well as the nearly useless Component Video input (analog sunset is December 2010) and has the capability to project HD video wirelessly via 802.11n networks.
For more information, go to: http://www.sanyo-lcdp.com/english/products/xu106/feature.html Back to Top Mitsubishi Demonstrates New Multi-touch (MT) Interface Mitsubishi Electric recently demonstrated a new multi-touch (MT) interface for its Seventy Series DLP cubes at ISE 2010. This interface transforms a standard multi-window display wall into an interactive workspace that can be used by several users simultaneously.
The multi-touch technology, developed jointly in Sweden by Mitsubishi Electric and i3sense, uses laser sensors instead of the more usual infrared (IR) detectors or capacitive touch overlays. Mitsubishi says the technology “offers greater accuracy and responsiveness” (although they didn’t say compared to what), and that the new system is much less susceptible to interference from sources of IR radiation such as sunlight – but, to be honest, the display itself is far from bright enough for sunlight applications anyway.
Seventy Series cubes come in 50", 60", 67" and 80" screen sizes in both 1024×768 pixel and 1400×1050 pixel resolutions. All Seventy Series cubes can be supplied with the i3 sense MT option (can also be retrofitted into existing installations).
For more details, go here: http://www.mitsubishidisplayengineering.com/Default.aspx?PageID=280671&ProductTypeID=281023&ProductSubTypeID=335052 Back to Top Planar Announces New Clarity LED Video Wall Series Planar announced at ISE earlier this month the Clarity LED Series rear projection video wall displays, meant for control room video walls that require 24/7 reliability. The displays provide what Planar says is "maintenance-free solid state illumination," with up to eight times the life of traditional lamps
The Clarity LED Series includes the 70-inch c70HD-LED (1920X1080 resolution), Clarity RP-LED (SXGA+ resolution) and Clarity RX-LED (XGA resolution) rear-projection displays (available in 50” and 67”). All displays within the Clarity LED Series utilize DLP® technology and are available with Open or Indisys image processing electronics options.
Planar says the series' illumination system has a rated life of 60,000 hours and has no consumable parts such as a color wheel or lamp, yielding a lower total cost of ownership.
The video walls are expected to ship in Q2 of 2010. For more information, go to http://www.planarcontrolroom.com/ Back to Top Extron Debuts 320 x 320 Fiber Optic Matrix Switcher Extron has launched the FOX 4G Matrix 320x. This high performance, modular fiber optic matrix switcher provides what Extron calls complete, end-to-end digital A/V signal transmission and routing over fiber optic cable in very large environments such as university and corporate campuses. It is expandable from 16×16 up to 320×320, and supports digital switching at rates up to 4.25 Gbps. With hot-swappable I/O boards, real-time system monitoring, and redundant, hot-swappable power supplies, they’re for mission-critical installs.
The FOX 4G Matrix 320x is compatible with FOX Series fiber optic digital transmitters and receivers, switchers, distribution amplifiers, and matrix switchers. It accepts and routes standard definition video, high-resolution computer-video, DVI, and multi-rate SDI. The modular board design features 20 board slots that can accept FOX 4G Matrix I/O Boards in multimode and single mode versions. The FOX 4G Matrix 320x can be configured with all or some of the board slots occupied. The I/O boards are hot swappable and may be added at any time in the field for easy and quick upgradeability or expansion.
For complete specs on the FOX 4G Matrix 320x, go to: http://www.extron.com/product/product.aspx?id=fox4gmatrix32000&s=0 Back to Top Da-Lite Adds a 39-Foot Wide Electric Screen to Large-Venue Line Available in widths over 39’, the Arena Electrol is designed with a unique built-in balancing system and steel cable guides to ensure smooth, even screen retraction and a flat viewing surface with each use. The housing for the Arena Electrol features a durable steel inner frame with a black steel case finish and fixed mounting brackets and includes a RF remote control and a three position wall switch. The projection screen surface is centered in the screen housing and is available with Matte White and Perforated Matte White fabric.
For more details, go here: http://www.da-lite.com/products/product.php?cID=30&pID=484 Back to Top Samsung Shows New Document Camera Last week, Samsung announced the $799 SAMCAM 860 — a 1.4 megapixel (SXGA resolution) document panel with 6x optical zoom, a “video recording on-board” feature and an integrated 32GB SD Memory card. Samsung claims the SAMCAM 860 outputs 30fps HD video with resolutions up to 1280×720 and even includes both video and audio outputs (for VTC applications).
For more specs, go to: http://www.samcam860.com Back to Top dnp Launches Supernova Flex dnp finally launched a giant electric screen in the form of the 120” (diagonal) Supernova Flex system – available in both wall-mount and recessed ceiling mount configurations. Available in both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, the Super Flex is IR controllable (as well as RS232 and 5/12-volt trigger-able), and is available in powder-coated varnishes as well as wood and various gains. The Super Flex is what dnp considers their “flagship” electric screen line and was previously only available in sizes from 72” – 100”. The new 120” Super Flex is ISF certified.
To learn more, go to: http://www.dnp.dk/DNP08/Products/Front-projection/Screens/dnp-Supernova-Flex.aspx Back to Top NEC Announces Revenue-Sharing Program for Channel Partners NEC Display announced last week that channel partners will receive a recurring revenue stream from advertising if their customers register their digital signage networks on the VUKUNET platform. VUKUNET is NEC’s new initiative that connects network owners and operators of digital signage with advertising revenue, by giving advertisers and agencies an easier way to buy place-based, digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising.
VUKUNET combines free content management software (CMS) that runs on a PC driving the screen content, with a Web-based advertising platform that connects all digital signage networks so that ad placement, proof-of-performance and payment are centrally managed and automated. rAVe DS covered VUKUNET in detail in our November issue here: http://www.ravepro.com/digital_signage/issues/2009/11/index.html#t0923
To enroll in the program, VARs need to be a part of NEC’s Partner Net site, participate in the VUKUNET training and sign a VUKUNET reseller agreement. Details are available at http://www.necdisplay.com/partners Back to Top News from OmniMount, Thorburn Associates, D-Tools… OmniMount has promoted Dan Halaburda to general manager of national accounts… Scott Sugden has been named head of U.S. Touring Support for L-ACOUSTICS… Thorburn Associates and Gallegos Lighting have announced a strategic partnership to offer an expanded range of specialty architectural design services… Applied Electronics Limited of Vancouver has completed an installation using Christie visual display solutions for the city of Vancouver's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for emergency response situations during high-profile events… D-Tools has added a new live chat feature to better support its customer base, which is available in the latest release of the D-Tools System Integration Software. 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% 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 blow away ANY other Publication in the high-end home AV 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. 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 2010 – 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
rAVe contains the opinions of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of other persons or companies or its sponsors. |