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What Did Gary Think of InfoComm 2003?

Gary Kayye

infocomm-icia-0615We came across one of the first, ever, articles written for rAVe back in June 2003 — it was Gary’s review of the InfoComm 2003 Show. It’s an interesting look at how much our industry has changed! Oh, and, back then, InfoComm’s association was called ICIA (thus, the ICIA references) in case you wondered what-the-heck he was writing about…

As we head into InfoComm this week in Orlando, you may enjoy this review of the 2003 event (dates June 24, 2003) — also located in Orlando:

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Wow, It Was InfoComm

Underpromise and overdeliver — a sales mantra heard in every aspect of business.

And, certainly one that ICIA used leading up to last months InfoComm 2003 show in Orlando.

Topping 20,000, again, ICIAs renowned InfoComm show certainly didn’t disappoint. Although most dealers and manufacturers claimed that they brought fewer people than they did last year to the show, end users obviously took up the slack. Having worked most of the show on the show floor delivering presentations in the Crestron booth, there was no question that University and College AV and IT managers dominated show attendance. And, they appeared ready to buy.

The hope, of course, is that this all leads to a big recovery in the ProAV world that has meant slow or no growth for almost every manufacturer and dealer. Cross your fingers.

And, InfoComm didn’t disappoint when it comes to new product introductions either. Just about every company on the show floor had something to show. Below, I review some of the most impressive introductions at the show and I finish with my ever-popular InfoComm 2003 personal awards.

First a disclaimer: Its always tough doing an article like this as invariably someone or something gets cut out as there is a space limitation to what can be printed and sometimes you just overlook something as it takes a while for it to become obvious what really had a true impact at the show. So, for those companies deserving of mention here but are not listed, I am truly sorry. But, keep in mind that this is not necessarily designed as a product round-up piece as there are a half-dozen or so journalists who do a much better job at that than I will ever do. Here’s what I noticed and should be considered as you move through the second half of 2003 — not a complete product round-up.

First, here are picks from InfoComm 2003:

InFocus: The label for the worlds smallest projector belongs to InFocus again. Its a 1.9-pound, XGA (1024 x 768) resolutions DLP projector that about the size of two paper-back books laid end-to-end. Dubbed the LP120, InFocus claims it has a 2000:1 contrast ratio and garners 1100 ANSI lumens. Now, usually, I dont talk about non-system related products, but this projector is too revolutionary not to mention.

NEC:  The most unique system-related projector on the show floor was NECs WT600. Its truly a lens-less projector because its designed for a super-short throw application where you have little or no room between the placement of the projector and the screen. In fact, the WT600 only has to be placed 2.5 (yes, inches) away from a screen to project an image up to 40 diagonally. And, if you can spare two (2 feet) you get a 100 diagonal image. The WT600 is an XGA resolution (1024×768), single-chip DLP projector that claims to project 1500 ANSI lumens at a 3000:1 contrast ratio.

Crestron: The Extron wars have begun. Crestron’s answer to Extron’s MediaLink is MediaManager. MediaManager is both a control system as well as a signal routing and distribution system including wall plate interfaces, pop-up table-top interfaces, switchers as well as video and audio amplifiers. However, Crestron’s hook is that every signal (video, s-video, RGBHV, audio, mic, component video and even control signals) are all routed via their QuickMedia cable (basically a Cat5e and Cresnet wire in-one). And, because the MediaManager’s heart is a Crestron 2-series controller, that emans that its a lot more than Extron’s MediaLink as it has the capability to completely control a rooms ProAV gear and the room itself. Finally, MediaManager is also compatible with Crestron’s powerful RoomView remote control and asset management software program that allows for network-based remote control (IP or TCP/IP) and asset management via LAN, WAN or the Internet.

Smart Technologies:  Smart has finally made it big; 84-inches that is. The biggest rear-screen SmartBoard ever is the new 84″ model 2950 is an in-wall SmartBoard that includes the entire projection and DViT-enabled screen that uses an XGA resolution LCD projector. The impressive thing here is definitely the size. 84″ means that it can be used in lecture halls and even auditoriums.

Sharp: Finally entering the large-format direct-view LCD monitor market, Sharps 37″ LC-M3700 was incredible. Its 1366 x 768 resolution image quality was stunning and I was completely impressed with its ability to manage motion very well and blacks looked virtually black. Its not as big as many as virtually every LCD monitor manufacturer has 40″ and is introducing 50″ displays, but I am confident when Sharp enters that market space with a larger screen, it will be one to look at. The 37 display is incredible.

Sanyo:  Continuing to dominate the low-priced (if you can call it that) large-venue category, Sanyo introduced a 7700 ANSI lumen, $50,000 LCD projector that claims to have a contrast ratio of 1000:1. Dubbed the PFC-UF15, the UXGA 1600 x 1200 resolution includes Faroudja video processing, network connectivity and 3:2 pull-down.

Sony: Sony Electronics announced the PCS-1 series, a videoconferencing system with what Sony claims is a “broadcast-quality picture” and ability to reach speeds up to 2Mbps on IP networks, up to 768 kilobits per second on ISDN, coupled with a future upgrade path for H.264 and transcoding. The PCS-1 line has new videoconference call data collaboration features to enhance data sharing, and the systems have also been designed to interoperate with common presentation devices such as projectors and plasma monitors. The PCS-1 offers Quality of Service controls for IP networks and support for Mimio Xi electronic whiteboard transmission. Also, the model features an XGA output for connecting a projector, plasma monitor or other IT display. The unit consists of two-pieces, a codec and a separate camera.

Sonic Foundry: I’ve been preaching that one of the bright spots in the future of our market is Streaming Video. Well, Sonic Foundry may be the shining star. If you are not already a dealer for Sonic Foundry, after InfoComm, you will want to be. Not only were they streaming programming live from the show floor, but they were the hit of the streaming video pavilion. Their MediaSite Live streaming video server is capable of streaming video, audio and anything that’s displayed on your computer desktop in real-time using virtually any network connection speed and resolution. But, the coolest part about MediaSite Live is it’s archival features including giving on-line attendees the ability to start watching a streaming show from any point in the stream by simply clicking on any of the PowerPoint slides in a given presentation. It’s the easiest streaming product I have seen so far.

See related  Attend Gary Kayye's InfoComm Session: ‘The Future of Workspaces Is All About Experiences’

Clarity:  Clarity’s new Bobcat II (a significant upgrade to the original Bobcat) is a 40″ direct view LCD particularly suited to public venue advertising and retail signage. It has a slim form, back light control which can automatically adjust the brightness as ambient light changes. The Bobcat II has picture-in-picture capability, for overlaying video on graphics in support of applications such as videoconferencing. It also has an enhanced cooling system, enabling the cooling fans to cycle off when the LCD is sufficiently cooled, for minimizing noise.

Hewlett Packard: HP has set its sights on the ProAV installation market via the xp8000 Series. And, unique to HP is a proprietary dual color wheel technology (yes, two color wheels in one projector) for optimized image performance for both video and graphics imaging. The dual color wheel feature offers one-touch switching between the three presentation modes business-graphics, theatre-video and super-bright modes to achieve optimal brightness or color (depending on the application and projection environment). Designed for installation, the xp8010 and xp8020 offer what HP says is 2,600 peak ANSI lumens and 3,300 peak ANSI lumens brightness, respectively. They are also the first, says the company, to use MARGI Systems’ Wireless Presenter-to-Go presentation software, enabling easy wireless presentation from any WiFi-enabled PC or handheld device. The solution is available through an optional HP connectivity module that incorporates TI’s DisplayConnect technology to enable remote control, management and maintenance of networked digital projectors.

Optoma:  Optoma is entering the Home Theater market via the new EzPro 731. It’s a single-chip, DLP-based 16:9 aspect ratio home theater projector dubbed the new H76. Using the HD-2 DLP technology from TI (dubbed the Mustang Chip) and includes the new five-speed, six-segment color wheel. Specified to garner over 1,000 lumens, a 2000:1 contrast ratio, has and includes both 3:2 and 2:2 pull-down detection. In addition, the H76 includes connectivity for S-Video, native DVI-I, component (480i/p, 720p, and 1080i), and BNC inputs.

Kramer: Kramer Electronics strengthens its scaler line-up via the new VP-724DS. The VP-724DS is a true multi standard video-to-RGBHV scaler that converts video, s-Video, component video, VGA through UXGA signals and DVI signals to multiple user-selectable output pixel rates. The scaler provides fade thru black switching between inputs and includes a picture-in-picture inserter, allowing the insertion of any video source into a graphics background and vice versa. It can also scale, zoom, freeze and locate the inserted image anywhere on the screen. A full scale ProcAmp is built in for video correction and enhancement. Inputs include two S-Video, two Composite video, one Component video, two computer video (15pin HD — VGA through UXGA) and 1 DVI. The output signal is user selectable and can be VGA (640×480), SVGA (800×600), XGA (1024×768), SXGA (1280×1024) and UXGA (1600×1200). The unit has six additional, non-standard, user selectable output resolutions of 1024×852, 852×1024, 1024×1024 1365×1024, 1366×768 and 720 x 483 for handling latest PDP and Home Theatre projector technologies and three DTV output resolutions, 1080i, 720p and 480p (13 output resolutions total).

DVIGear: Everything that’s DVI is found at DVIGear. DVI connectivity has quickly become the standard preferred method to connect high-end home theater components but is building momentum in the ProAV world too. At InfoComm, DVIGear showed a plethora of long distance DVI cables that allow both DVI-D and DVI-I signals to be run over 300 meters (yes, 900 feet through cable). In addition, DVI Gear showed new DVI signal switchers and DAs.

Mitsubishi: Mitsubishi showed their new XL-5950 with built-in theft prevention via an integrated 120 db alarm system. Designed for meeting room installations, the XGA resolution (1024×768) LCD-based XL-5950 projector claims to garner over 4500 ANSI lumens and includes both horizontal and vertical lens shift something that’s is really cool!

Finally, it’s time for my annual rAVe Radical Show Awards:

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