Kramer Electronics announced the VP-8x8A computer graphics video matrix switcher, with both balanced and unbalanced stereo audio capability for each input.  The VP-8x8A is an updated version of the Kramer VP-8×8 with the stereo audio capability added. The Kramer VP-8x8A is a 350 MHz high bandwidth matrix switcher for computer graphics video signals with resolutions […]

NEC announced two TAA, trade-compliant AccuSync LCD monitors. TAA, the Trade Agreement Act of 1979, requires certain products be manufactured or significantly altered in the U.S. or designated countries to be eligible for government purchase. NEC Display Solutions is offering two LCD monitors – the 17-inch ASLCD72VX-BK-TA and 19-inch ASLCD92VX-BK-TA specified at resolution of 1280 […]

Making Sense of Changes to CSI MasterFormat It’s been said time and time again, and by now there can be no doubt that we are living in an age of abundant information. But the power of living in such an age does not reside in the mere accumulation of facts, it depends substantially on how […]

In a new report by Pacific Media Associates, it looks like 2006 will show a 24 percent increase in front projector sales over 2005. The survey, conducted among North American resellers and retailers, indicates that the shift to widescreen and the introduction of 1080p units are the biggest growth factors. The research company expects 1080p […]

The LX380 and Christie LX450 are specifically designed for use in conference rooms, classrooms, briefing centers and on-screen advertising. The Christie LX380, with 3800 ANSI lumens, and the Christie LX450, with 4500 ANSI lumens, are specified at XGA resolution and 1000:1 contrast ratio. They use a variety of lenses and also feature a bayonet-style lens […]

Epson America introduced a sub-$5,000 1080p home cinema projector using 3LCD chips, the new HDMI 1.3 spec, and a number of image enhancing technologies. With this new native 1080p, 3-panel LCD projector from Epson, Sony’s VPL-VW100 is DEAD and the VPL-VW50 better watch out.  I have been testing Epson’s new Pro Cinema 1080 projector against […]

The cineo3+ 1080 is a new 1080p DLP projector from projectiondesign. This projector is a single-chip model designed for digital dailies, post production work and HD screenings, high quality graphics generation, 3D graphics and mapping, command, control and surveillance, broadcast control room and presentation areas, medical imaging, automotive design, and digital signage. The projector is […]

SENSIO Technologies announced what they call 4D Theater, an integrated system designed for the exhibition market. This is a turn-key solution that includes a video server, the SENSIO PRO 3D HD processor, projectors, screen, sound-proofing system, glasses, moving seats, basic site plans, as well as a variety of pre-selected 3D movies. The system is designed […]

This squarely pits AMX against Extron.  AutoPatch, second only to Extron in the matrix routing and switching market, now has the resources of a GIANT behind it in AMX!   This is a BIG deal!  Congratulations to AMX on a great, strategic move. But, is this is a bigger deal for Crestron than for Extron?  Crestron […]

InFocus announced the company sold The University Network, a digital content delivery system targeting colleges and universities in the U.S. The buyer is Submedia LLC, a digital media company based in New York City. InFocus acquired the assets of TUN in mid-2005 and announced earlier this year its intent to divest TUN. The Company will […]

SPL Integrated Solutions, the large Maryland-based system integrator, announced the company opened a branch office in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The branch office will operate under SPL’s corporate name – Signal Perfection, Ltd. The office will be managed by W. Douglas Wilkens, who comes from Inter-M Americas, Community Loudspeakers, Mark IV Audio, Electro-Voice, […]

Tech Electronics, or TEi, which has been in business for decades and based in Atlanta, decided to change the company name this month. The new name, Visix, better reflects the company’s direction, according to company President Sean M. Matthews. Visix markets communications applications such as AxisTV, a digital signage solution, MeetingMinder for room and event […]

rAVe Europe (and its sister publication Multimedia I.T.) will be the exclusive host of the 2007 European Buyer’s Lounge @ CES.  A function organized by CES, the Buyer’s Lounge is open on Tuesday, January 9th in the Hilton Ballroom E from 5.00 – 7.00pm. The editors of rAVe Europe will be on hand to greet European buyers and to facilitate […]

By Brian E. Huff This is a two-part article about the LEED initiative. Read Part 2 in the next issue. I recently attended a construction kickoff meeting for a well-known educational institution’s first new building in many years.  At the table in the construction trailer were the normal complement of project management, architectural, landscape, structural, IT, […]

Da-Lite Screen Company announced several new products recently, including a projector lift, mirror adjustment and lectern. The projector lift is the Da-Lift 10M. The 10M is electrically operated, is 15 inches high, travels 10 inches vertically, and has a projector weight capacity up to 40 pounds. The frame is black welded steel with two electrical […]

Kramer subsidiary Sierra Video introduced the Viper, ultra -wideband video routing switchers.  These RGBHV routing switchers have 500MHz bandwidth and feature hot-swappable video boards, control processors, and power supplies.  Viper routing switchers are designed to be modular, explains the company, to allow for increased performance and reliability in critical video applications. The Viper ultra-wideband routing […]

Magenta Research announced two new Cat5 receivers, part of the MultiView Series product line. The K-500 TD (twin-display) and K-500 TDC (twin-display, chainable) receivers reduce receiver quantities by connecting to two back-to-back or close-proximity displays, rather than one display.  The K-500 TD and TDC receivers use MultiView AK500 technology, including RepliSync and proprietary signal algorithms, […]

Impart Media Group released IQ Streams, a web portal media source and library of infotainment content for digital signage and interactive kiosks. The service delivers sports, news, finance, entertainment, music, and weather in motion video, still graphic, flash animation, text, or IPTV formats to media players or to virtually any device via open standard, XML […]

Electrograph announced installer features for the company’s new RevolutionHD display offerings.  The new RevolutionHD custom frames allow the installer to choose among a number of colors and styles. The company also announced the LCDs and plasmas will be available with with Imaging Science Foundation Certification Calibration Controls (ISFccc). These allow the installer to adjust the […]

NEC Display Solutions of America announced a 57-inch LCD display specifically designed for the commercial market. The MultiSync LCD5710, specified at 1920 x 1080 and 900:1 contrast ratio, has NEC’s Digital Signage Technology Suite, which has more than 30 signage-specific features. The new display accepts up to 1080p signals through a variety of PC and […]

Panasonic announced the company is offering an on-site five year warranty on select professional plasma displays, at no cost, through December 31, 2006. With the purchase of either a TH-37PH9UK 37” HD, TH-42PS9UK 42” SD, TH-42PH9UK 42” HD, TH-50PH9UK 50” HD, TH-50PF9UK 50” 1080p or TH-65PF9UK 65” 1080p model, a purchaser receives a five-year warranty […]

Sharp announced an upgrade to the company’s 45-inch commercial LCD monitor that allows it to be operated in both portrait and landscape modes. The new PN-455RU has an optimized internal cooling, air flow and backlight system for ideal use in portrait mode, according to the company.  The PN-455RU monitor is specified at two-megapixel 1920 x […]

HaiVision announced that the company encoder, the hai200 TASMAN, is now validated as fully compatible and interoperable with Amino’s AmiNET124 supporting H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC. The TASMAN / Amino interoperability, based on the support of MPEG transport stream encapsulation, is available as a firmware upgrade to all of HaiVision’s installed TASMAN clients. The TASMAN STREAMER […]

Version 3.0.0 of AVSnap from ALTINEX is now available in 14 languages and has full spelling functionality, a redesigned print preview for better document printing and editable menus in eight languages. The new version also provides direct access to manufacturer libraries and sample projects, and enhanced DXF import functions. To assist users, AVSnap offers weekly […]

STMicroelectronics introduced a new device that allows HDMI to operate at full HDMI speed of 1.65 Gbit/s and even up to 3.2 Gbit/s, with full 15kV contact and air Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) protection. Claiming bandwidth of greater than 5GHz, the new HDMIULC6-4SC6 is a monolithic, application-specific device that provides rail-to-rail protection of four data lines […]

Christie introduced a whole new control room product line, the TotalVIEW system. The system includes the latest single-chip XGA and SXGA+ DLP rear projection display engine technology, custom configurable digital display wall controllers, rear projection displays ranging from 50” to 100” diagonal and the latest in Christie’s line of rear screen 3-chip DLP tiling projectors […]

Teq Gear announced the company has partnered with UK-based Scion Technology for digital signage. Teq Gear is now the exclusive distributor of Scion’s digital signage products in the United States and Canada, where the products will be marketed under the Teq Gear brand name. Teq Gear carries three main digital signage product lines, which include […]

Panasonic announced the company has licensed the Pro:Idiom Digital Rights Management system for use with the company’s plasma displays for hotels and resorts. Panasonic says the products will be available by year end. The Pro:Idiom system was developed specifically for lodging. It protects satellite-delivered HD programming and video-on-demand content against piracy at all points in […]

The S’pore Discovery Centre in Singapore is using digital 3D technology for its digital cinema projection. The 344-seat iWERKS theatre, with its five-story-high screen, is using the Christie CP2000 which, instead of using two projectors for 3D, uses one projector to screen two separate frame-accurate and synchronous digital images for the left and right eyes. […]

Da-Lite made a number of new product announcements of late, including new HDTV screen sizes, a fixed large venue screen up to 90 feet and a new AV cart. The Professional Electrol and Senior Electrol are the screens that are now available in HDTV sizes. The Professional is now available in 159”, 188”, 216”, 243” […]

Kramer Electronics introduced a new 1:2 distribution amplifier for HDMI signals that can store and recall EDID information. The VM-2HDMI is a compact and high quality 1 input, 2 output distribution amplifier for HDMI signals from tuners, set top boxes, DVD players and other HDMI equipped sources.  The unit supports up to 1.65Gbps bandwidth for […]

CyberTouch introduced new Touch Screen Kits designed for 6.4″ through 32″ diagonal flat-panel displays. The touch screens are designed for standard- format as well as 16:9-aspect ratio LCD displays and use resistive technology, activated with a gloved-hand, finger nails or any die-electric stylus. The Kits consist of 4 and 8-wire resistive touch screens, USB or […]