InfoComm 2013 is the perfect opportunity for manufacturers of AV gear to tout the genius of their new AV wares. It is the one show that most commercial AV Peeps attend, looking for the product that will catapult them head first into new verticals and increased profit margins. Naturally, given that, manufacturers write press releases every day leading up to the show, to make sure we all come see what they have been working on in the super secret labs over the last 12 months.

Then, the floor opens. The excitement is palpable. I line up for the official ribbon cutting, and enter through the double doors. I can feel the steam of hot breath on my neck and fear being trampled like a fan of the Fussball Bund at the Euro Cup. I veer left, against my natural right handed inclination and fall into the comforting arms of an old friend, Sony.

As I take refuge in their sanctuary of pixelated paradise, I see it. 8 million pixels of OLED flat panel that span diagonally for 56″. I stand in awe watching high res content, pressed longingly against the barrier that creates an 8 foot buffer zone around the display. I stand in a silent community of other AV goers, whose thoughts need not be given voice, as we are all looking in the same direction and we all know why.

Then I lift my camera to snap a shot of the wonder and… a large finger waves in my face as Sony’s very own version of Dikembe Mutombo says, “Not in my house!” I then notice the sign that says “The use of cameras or video equipment is prohibited.” Huh?

I understand secrecy when developing product. My dad worked at McDonnell Douglas and would have to chase people through the orange groves who had jumped the fence to get some clandestine photos of the Apache Helicopter. I get that. But this is InfoComm, isn’t it? You brought it here to show it off and to generate buzz and then you say no pictures, really?

Can I really reverse engineer a 4k OLED display with a mere picture of the content on the screen? I would guess probably not. Sony, have you ever seen a picture of the picture on a TV anyway? It never turns out anyway 🙂

So, now instead of a blog relating the beauty of the set with a picture to match, this is the blog we end up with. I love you guys, but “No Pictures?” Please!