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InfoComm Redux

This year's Pick Hits of the show include a good cross section of technologically innovative products.

InfoComm Redux

Aug 1, 2005 2:52 PM,
By Mark Johnson and Trevor Boyer

This year’s Pick Hits of the show include a good cross section of technologically innovative products.

Web-expanded version

The Audio Pavilion was one of six pavilions at the show featuring interactive exhibits and seminars, and the chance to get more in-depth information from manufacturers

When I think of InfoComm, a snippet of an old Doobie Brothers song comes to mind: “It keeps you runnin’…” This is a big show, with much territory to cover. While not as large as NAB or CES, InfoComm has steadily grown to a size that only a limited number of convention facilities can accommodate. My feet and legs will attest to that!

Drawing record numbers of exhibitors and attendees, InfoComm 2005 in Las Vegas had much to offer in the way of new AV technology. The show also featured many opportunities for professional development by way of a diverse offering of classes, workshops, and seminars held throughout the week. This included the second running of Super Tuesday, intensive and comprehensive six-hour technology and business workshops on the Tuesday before the show.

Additionally, six technology pavilions in specially designated areas throughout the exhibit floor featured interactive exhibits and seminars, as well as the opportunity to get more in-depth information via one-on-ones with manufacturers. The Streaming Media Pavilion proved to be a popular location. Sponsored by Sound & Video Contractor, Video Systems, and SRO magazines, it’s now in its second year. Other pavilions included the Audio Pavilion, Collaborative Conferencing Pavilion, Digital Signage Pavilion, Presentations Pavilion, and Residential Pavilion.

“This year at InfoComm, the audio section of the exhibit floor grew dramatically, with over 200 companies offering a full range of audio technologies and solutions,” says Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., ICIA executive director. “As the total information communications tradeshow, InfoComm is responsive to attendees’ needs to explore all solutions in one convenient location: audio, video, display, projection, conferencing, streaming media, lighting, staging, digital signage, presentations, control, networked and wireless AV systems, as well as how these technologies are used in various professional applications.”

Pick Hit Winners

Fourteen products exhibited at InfoComm 2005 in Las Vegas earned Sound & Video Contractor‘s 2005 Pick Hit award. A panel of six industry insiders—ranging from users to consultants to journalists, all of whom visited exhibitors’ booths anonymously during the show—selected the winners. To merit consideration, a given product must have been released within the past year with this being its first InfoComm showing. It also had to be currently shipping or scheduled to ship before the year’s end.

The Pick Hit recipients comprise a broad range of products that exemplify the application of leading-edge technology and/or provide practical solutions to today’s system integration challenges. It was difficult to narrow down the contenders to just 14 products, but it’s exciting to see such a good cross section of technologically innovative products that provide extremely well thought-out solutions, represent the latest advancements in a particular technology, or both.

The judges for this year were: Trevor Boyer, video technology editor for Sound & Video Contractor; Jeff Sauer, contributing editor for Sound & Video Contractor; Bill Schuermann, senior project consultant for HFP Acoustical Consultants; Nathan Powell, principal for PTC Group; and John McJunkin, contributing writer for Sound & Video Contractor. And when the dust settled, the Pick Hit products for InfoComm 2005 are:

Advanced Media Design—MediaPointe DMR300 AV/IP operating platform
Sauer comments: “Advanced Media Design’s MediaPointe DMR300 is like a TiVo for videoconferencing calls. With a push of a single button, it’s able to record one or both streams of a video call separately, plus capture any slides from a presentation as separate stills.”

Biamp—AEC2w Acoustic Echo Cancelling card
Johnson comments: “Many times in applications like this, the processing can produce some side effects that affect the overall fidelity. The demo was impressive with very high-quality sound.”

BSS—London Blu Series DSP Audio processing system
Schuermann comments: “The technology, configurability, and performance of London make it the industry leader in DSP processors.”

DiGiCo—D1 Live Digital mixing console
Schuermann comments: “At last, a logical digital console.”

DPA—3552 Compact Omni Stereo Microphone kit
Powell comments: “The kit delivers a quality that you could hear in most large-diaphragm studio microphones in a VERY compact package. Sounds great for choirs, orchestras, and pianos.”

Harman Pro—HighQNet Networking/control system
Powell comments: “This network protocol works and is what the industry has been trying to accomplish for well over a decade. … Hats off to Mark Terry and Harman Pro.”

JBL—Control Contractor 322 C/CT Loudspeakers
McJunkin comments: “At the demo of the JBL in-ceiling speakers, I found myself looking around the room to see where they had hidden the subwoofer! I love the wide coverage of this speaker’s dispersion pattern.”

Middle Atlantic—UQFP-4D Rack fan panel
Schuermann comments: “An intelligent way to keep your racks cool.”

Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America—PocketProjector
Sauer comments: “Mitsubishi’s PocketProjector is one of those rare outside-the-box products that just begs contemplation. I don’t know whether this will be a successful product, but it will inspire new thinking, new uses for front projection, new business models, and future models to pick up where it leaves off.”

Neutrik USA—OpticalCon Connector
McJunkin comments: “While it’s not a sexy product with mass public appeal, I find the Neutrik OpticalCon connector to be pure magic from an engineering standpoint, not to mention that it’s eminently useful.

Silicon Optix—Realta HQV Video Processing chip
Boyer comments: This is an excellent way to upconvert standard 480p DVD output for display via high-definition plasmas and projectors. Late last year, Silicon Optix introduced the HQV chip, which leverages upconversion technology from Teranex, which S.O. recently acquired. There’s almost no comparison between the image quality afforded by the HQV chip and those produced by other widely available upconversion solutions—we’re talking the difference between a crisp, clear day and a foggy night. At InfoComm, new products were introduced that rely on the HQV chip. [Among some announcements on company websites]: ‘3M to integrate the Realta HQV video engine in new Digital WallDisplay’; ‘NEC will soon be offering the NEC TheaterSync. This external video processing unit is powered by Silicon Optix’s award-winning Realta chip, which incorporates HQV processing.'”

Sony Electronics Broadcast and Business Solutions—SRX-R110 Projector
Sauer comments: “Sony’s SRX-R110 is the projector that proves that digital cinema will be a reality. Its 4K resolution and quality can make a side-by-side of
high-definition video look soft.”

Sony Electronics—Ipela Videoconferencing product brand
Boyer comments: “AV over IP is real—and Sony’s Ipela line of videoconferencing and security products is proof. Designed to take advantage of the IP infrastructure that already exists within almost every office environment, Ipela is a plug-and-play approach to videoconferencing that hides cameras and conference interface software in what looks like a standard desktop display. A boon for integrators, the security portion of Ipela uses the same infrastructure and standards as does the videoconferencing half of the equation, making it easier to install and service Ipela.”

Serious Magic—Ovation Presentation Software
Boyer comments: “Consider this your one-way ticket out of ‘PowerPoint Hell.’ Nifty little $99 software products jazz up standard PowerPoint presentations with 3D-animated transitions between slides (think the coolest DVD menu you’ve seen recently) and motion backgrounds. It’s not all just bells and whistles, either: Ovation allows you to create ‘tier 2’ slides that aren’t part of the presentation unless you call them up, for example, if anticipated questions are asked.”

Jeff Sauer offers his perspective on some of the video and display products exhibited at the show, including some of those selected as Pick Hits in the August edition of his column, Picture This, coming soon.

JVC SRDVD-100U

What Trevor Saw

Sony kicked off the InfoComm exhibition with an early-morning press conference that introduced the newest members of its Ipela line of IP-based videoconferencing systems. The PCS-TL30 standalone videoconferencing desktop system supports H.264 standards to deliver video at up to 2Mbps. The PCS-G50 Video Communications System uses H.264 and H.263 to deliver video at up to 4Mbps, and it bridges mixed calls between ISDN and IP networks. Sony says videoconferencing currently constitutes a $534 million annual industry, and it’s growing 9.7 percent annually. Even schools are getting in the game: Sony says the Pasadena, Texas, Independent School District is installing 800 SNC-DF70 Ipela cameras for general surveillance.

As for front projectors, Sony says the market continues to grow. In 2003, 2.3 million units were sold; last year, it was 3.5 million. At the show, Sony introduced the VPLCX20A and VPLCS20A, two sub-5lb. LCD projectors rated at 2000 ANSI lumens. The enhanced VPL-CX76 and VPL-CX86 projectors now offer 802.11b/g wireless networking capability for even faster wireless performance using Sony’s airshot system. The new XGA-resolution VPL-PX41 features 3500 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 10BaseT/100BaseTX interface for device monitoring and web-based control.

At InfoComm this year, JVC did not unveil projectors designed primarily for the integrator/installer market, though the existing DLA-QX1 did make its ultra-high-resolution presence known in the Large Venue Hall. The only display introduced was the D-ILA-based DLA-HRM1, a 30in. deep 1920×1080 reference monitor designed for the most critical display applications, like HD post and HD surveillance.

Most interesting to integrators, though, are the new ProHD DVD players that JVC unveiled. The SRDVD-100U is a standard red-laser DVD player. Designed as a “loop player,” it’s perfect for digital signage applications and plays HDV MPEG-2 transport streams (up to 30 minutes on a standard red-laser DVD disc) and handles other emerging “HD-lite” formats like DivX and Windows Media 9. Available in September, the SRDVD-100U also plays standard-def DVDs and can even upconvert them to HD. There’s a USB 2.0 connector on the front panel for playback of files stored on external hard drives.

Sampo LME-42X8

Big news from Sampo at InfoComm was that its new line of LCD and plasma displays is network-enabled. They’re IP-addressable, with RJ-45 (Ethernet) and RS-232 ports, so they can be controlled remotely by an existing network infrastructure. Network administrators can use PDAs or web browsers to power-on and -off the units, as well as control picture-in-picture or switch the video source. Sampo showed the LME-42X8, a 42in. LCD panel with 1366×768 native resolution built-in TV tuner set to retail for only $3,999.

The theme of display networking continued at the Samsung booth. The display manufacturer showcased several new plasma and LCD monitors. Samsung has partnered with DynaTek Media on digital signage software that pushes content to display locations. Networking is a $700 option on Samsung screens, which puts a Windows CE computer in each panel. New plasma screens included the 42in., 1024×768 PPM42M5H; the 42in., 852×480 PPM42M5S; and the 50in., 1366×768 PPM50M5H. As for LCD screens, Samsung introduced network-enabled 46in. SyncMaster 460pn and the 40in. SyncMaster 400pn, and the non-network-enabled but otherwise identical 46in. SyncMaster 460p and the 40in. SyncMaster 400p. All four displays feature a resolution of 1366×768.

Samsung also showed a home-theater projector, the SP-H800, which uses gamma curves to reproduce color standards accurately. And though there are no plans yet to distribute it in the United States, Samsung showed a tiny DLP-based pocket projector with a 25-lumen LED light engine.

LG expects to ship a 55in. LCD in Q4 and a 71in. plasma in September or October. Both are touted to be the “largest production model” in their respective categories. The 55in. LCD (the L5500C) features full 1920x1080p resolution for the highest pixel count currently available. Also featured at InfoComm was the L4200A, a 42in. plasma with high 1366×768 resolution. According to LG, Super In-Plane-Switching technology delivers both the fastest response time and the widest viewing angle (178 degrees) to the LCD displays. As for the 71in. plasma, the 71PY10 is also a 1920×1080 progressive-scan device.

Electrosonic showed a powerful new image processor designed for sending RGB and digital video to extremely large video display walls. The VN-Quantum uses the new Vector processor, and a single-frame system can carry up to 144 full-frame video sources and 64 graphics sources for simultaneous viewing. Alternately, the VN-Quantum can serve up to 28 displays at once. The key to the system is the RAPT bus that carries data at 10Gbps.

Silicon Optix recently bought Teranex, a company renowned for its image processing technology. Building on this technology, Silicon Optix introduced its HQV chip last year. The chip performs a trillion operations per second to output 480p (standard DVDs, for example) as 1080-line HD. In uprezzing 480p content to 1080 via 10-bit processing, the HQV chip “invents” about 80 percent of the pixels, but manages to keep the picture sharp. NEC is using the chip in the TheaterSync processing unit, a standalone device that connects to NEC’s plasmas, and JVC has it in the aforementioned DLA-HRM1 rear-projection unit.

Panasonic PT-D3500

Panasonic announced a variety of new products at InfoComm 2005, including a touchscreen module for its 65in. plasma. The TY-TP65P7S add-on uses an optical sensor system to allow users to interact directly with the screen via their finger or a touch pen. Panasonic also introduced two new standard-def plasmas, the 42in. TH-42PWD8UK and the 37in. TH-37PWD8UK, claiming a 20 percent improvement in peak brightness for the eighth-generation models. Panasonic also introduced the PT-D3500, a one-chip DLP projector with XGA resolution and a brightness rating of more than 3500 lumens. That projector weights 17.4lbs.; at the other end of the scale are the company’s new PT-LG30U series. The wireless PT-LB30NTU weighs only 5.7lbs. and its companion PT-LB30U weighs 5.5lbs. Still, they’re comparatively bright at 3000 lumens each, and both have XGA resolution.

NEC arranged its booth to reflect the major application areas that the company serves: the classroom, the home, the boardroom, etc. Now the number-two manufacturer of professional projectors and plasma displays, it claims, NEC introduced six new projectors at InfoComm. The VT series is designed for schools and business. The new VT models range from the VT27 (NEC’s least expensive projector at $795, an SVGA model with 1500 lumens of brightness) to the VT676 (XGA native resolution, 2500 lumens). The LT series is designed to appeal to business travelers who might want to use their projectors as home theater units on the weekends. The LT20 is only 2.2lbs. and features XGA resolution and 1500 ANSI lumens of brightness. Besides projectors, NEC introduced five commercial and four residential plasma displays at InfoComm, ranging from 42in. to 61in.

Sharp debuted the PN-455, a 45in. LCD monitor with native 1920×1080 resolution, which can show 1080i HD content with pixel-for-pixel accuracy. With a 60,000-hour life for its backlight, the monitor can run continuously for about seven years. The PN-455 retails for under $10,000. On the projector side of its business, Sharp continues to offer both DLP and LCD models. It introduced four new models in its Educator Series of single-chip DLP projectors. They range from the XR-10S, with SVGA resolution and 2000 lumens of brightness, to the XGA-resolution XR-20X projector with 2300 lumens. The Conference Series includes the XG-C68X (3600 lumens) and XG-C58X (3300 lumens). Both have native XGA resolution and a separate cooling system for each LCD panel.

Hitachi ED-X3400

Hitachi America introduced several projectors, including a pair of XGA-resolution LCD models that serve different sides of the company’s customer base. The ED-X3450 is designed business use, especially for travelers—it’s light at 5.5lbs. and offers 2000 lumens of brightness. The ED-X3400 is designed more for educational environments, with 1500 lumens of brightness that would be more than enough for controlled lighting situations. Hitachi says that the new XGA projector has an extended lamp life and is designed for untrained users. Hitachi was also touting its projector line’s compatibility with Avocent’s new point-to-multipoint wireless transmission systems for component video.

Avocent’s new Emerge WMS1000, a wireless product that sends analog video up to WXGA resolution up to 1,000ft., eliminates the need for a dedicated computer for each display and for extensive cabling within a facility. It’s $1,195 for a point-to-point pair. The WMS1000 will be available in Q3 this year, according to Avocent.

Optoma introduced a trio of DLP-based projectors at InfoComm. The H27 is an entry-level home-theater projector with 850 lumens of brightness and a native resolution of 854×480. The tiny EP729 has XGA resolution and weighs only 2.2lbs. Designed for business travelers, the EP729 features 1600 lumens of brightness and a contrast ratio of 2200:1. The Optoma EP719 is a larger version, with XGA resolution and a brighter lamp rated at 2000 ANSI lumens.

Comprehensive Video Group introduced a scaler and seamless 7X switcher, the CVG-719DS, designed for applications such as lecture halls. The CVG-719DS converts composite video, S-Video, component video (SDTV and HDTV), VGA through UXGA, and DVI-D signals to 14 user-selectable pixel rates. The company also introduced HDMI and DVI cable that’s designed to travel 50ft., which will obviate the need for extenders or repeaters in many situations.

Furman Sound AC-215

Though AC power is necessary to keep all these displays running, AC noise threatens to degrade the pictures that the displays put out as well as the circuitry of the displays themselves. Furman Sound has carved out a niche for itself in the realm of AC power conditioning. At InfoComm 2005, Furman introduced SMP+ technology, which stops electrical surges and spikes, reduces noise, and responds to overvoltage conditions that would damage AV equipment. It’s being implemented in two new rackmount products, the AR-15 voltage regulator and power conditioner and the Power Factor Pro R power conditioner, as well as in the AC-215 power purification and protection unit, a box that sits behind a plasma or LCD screen. In addtion, Furman offers power strips that incorporate SMP+ technology for $100 to $150.

Extron System Integrator (SI) Series speakers

Mark’s Observations

Communications Specialties introduced its 7240/7241 Pure Digital Fiberlink that carries high-res RGB, stereo audio, and Ethernet over one fiber. And it also added three models to its 7220 Series: the 7223, 7225, and 7227 “drop-and-repeat” fiber-optic receivers for RGB and stereo audio.

Major Custom Cable launched its Fiber-optic Snake on a Reel. Parent company VTG introduced an EtherSound-based Digital Audio Networking Modules prototype. The 16-channel rackmount device uses D-sub connectors on the rear for analog audio and RJ-45 connectors on the front utilizing the EtherSound network audio protocol and can be built into a 64×64 audio network over Cat-5 cable. Additional transceivers can be added to change from Ethernet-category cabling to optical-fiber cabling.

GTCO CalComp exhibited its products for interactive classrooms the InterWrite School Suite including the SchoolBoard electronic whiteboard, iPanel LCD annotating display, SchoolPad Bluetooth wireless pad, and PRS classroom response system.

Extron came with a whole boatload of new products, including its new System Integrator (SI) Series speakers, of which a total of 7 versions are available in surface-mount, ceiling, and in-wall models. The SI 26 features a 6.5in. long-throw woofer and a 1in. tweeter, and the SI 28 features an 8in. long-throw woofer and a 1in. tweeter. The SI 26X, SI 26CT LP, and SI 26CT are two-way ceiling speakers featuring a coaxial dual driver design with pivoting ferrofluid-cooled dome tweeters. The SI 26X is for use in non-plenum airspace environments, and comprises a 6.5in. woofer and a 3/4in. tweeter. The SI 26CT LP features a 4in. Low Profile “LP” metal back can for use in plenum ceilings. The SI 26CT features a 6.5in. low-frequency driver and a 1in. tweeter and is housed in an 8in. metal-back can for use in plenum environments. The SI 26W and SI 28W two-way in-wall speakers feature a 6.5in. woofer and 3/4in. tweeter, and an 8in. long-throw woofer and a 1in. tweeter, respectively.

AMX rolled out a wall full of Mio Modero keypad interfaces. The keypads are available in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Interface options include LED feedback, multi-color custom buttons, an LCD display on two models, and a tabletop model. The keypads are designed to fit into a single gang junction box, and also accommodates a standard European back box. The series includes four keypad models—Classic, Prestige, Elite, and Attaché. AMX also promoted its most recent development of the Duet platform, Dynamic Device Discovery technology, and the partnerships with other AV equipment manufacturers that participate in the program.

Listen Technologies unveiled its Bosch Custom Products. The new solutions enable audiovisual professionals to provide customized conferencing solutions to their customers. Consultants, integrators, and dealers can tap the experience of Bosch designers and engineers for tailored conferencing microphone systems.

Peavey exhibited its Sanctuary Series products from its Architectural Acoustics line, which includes loudspeakers, mixers, and power amplifiers designed specifically to be installed in the worship environment. It also announced to the InfoComm crowd the shipping of Nion, its programmable digital audio processing node from its Media Matrix division.

Audio-Technica UniPoint Series

Community showed its new R.25 weatherproof, full-range, two-way loudspeaker featuring a horn-loaded, 8in. cone LF driver and coaxial HF compression driver with a weather-resistant diaphragm. Also displayed were the Wet series loudspeakers for voice and full-range reproduction in applications demanding weather resistance performance.

Inter-M debuted the Kensington Series of mixing consoles in 24-, 32-, and 40-channel models. The Kensington product group is designed for live sound reinforcement and is based around individual modules that can be changed to facilitate upgrades and service. The modules are mounted in groups of eight. Each mic input channel features 48V phantom power, four-band “British EQ”, eight auxiliary sends with pre-fader switching, LCR panning, four mute groups, and direct outputs.

dbx DriveRack 4800

Crestron introduced the QM-FTCC-TPS QuickMedia FlipTop touchpanel controller that mounts flush into a tabletop and features a 3.6in. touchscreen, AC power outlet, and VGA, audio, and LAN cables. Two gated microphone inputs are included via terminal block connectors located below the table surface. A wide range of microphones is supported, including dynamic and condenser type, as well as balanced or unbalanced line-level sources such as wireless microphones. The QM-FTCC-TPS disengages the touchpanel whenever the lid is not fully opened. It is available finished in either anodized black or brush aluminum. Crestron also introduced its next generation of Isys touchpanels: the TPS, TPS-G, TPMC-QM, and TPMC-CH Series Isys touchpanels with a 12in.or 15in. display, or a 17in. widescreen display including desktop tiltcase and wallmount designs.

Audio-Technica’s re-engineered UniPoint Series include UniGuard RFI-shielding for immunity from radio frequency interference, interchangeable condenser elements (cardioid, hypercardioid, omnidirectional, and UniLine line cardioid), 80Hz UniSteep filter for removal of unwanted low frequencies, and a two-stage foam windscreen. Models include hanging, gooseneck, U891R, U891RW, and U891RC boundary and UniPoint U873R handheld microphones.

Lexicon Pro MX200

Dbx Professional Products showed the DriveRack 4800 system processor featuring new algorithms, including dbx’s Advanced Feedback Suppression (AFS). Also exhibited were the ZonePro 1260 and 1261 digital zone processors providing 12 inputs and 6 outputs. Each output zone can be configured with either a mixer or a router with primary, priority, and paging sources with both Priority Override and Page Ducking.

Lexicon Pro exhibited the MX200 dual reverb/effects processor, a 1RU, 2-channel unit that features a USB connection and VST interface for use with software recording platforms.

Marantz PMD570

D&M Professional exhibited the Marantz PMD570 professional-installation, solid-state recorder. The 1RU device records in mono or stereo directly to Compact Flash cards in MP3, MP2, WAV, and Broadcast WAV formats. The PMD570 includes balanced XLR line inputs with trim, unbalanced RCA line in and out, and stereo S/PDIF input and output on coaxial RCA jacks and features USB connectivity for linking and file transfer. D&M also displayed the DN-V200 and DN-V300 DVD Players.

Klein + Hummel freePORT PAS 400

Sennheiser Electronic Corporation provided a sneak peak at the new Klein + Hummel freePORT PAS 400, a wireless, self-powered sound reinforcement speaker system. The system accommodates up to four Sennheiser Evolution Wireless G2 series or two rackmount diversity receivers and features an integrated mixer and 100W amplifier, and offers built-in rechargeable battery or AC-powered operation.

Symetrix announced an upgrade for its SymNet Express Cobra series of audio DSP. Beginning in the third quarter of 2005, all Express Cobra models will be equipped with the new CS181022 chip from Cirrus Logic, increasing its capability to 16×16 CobraNet audio channels from the existing 8×8. There are four SymNet Express Cobra models differentiated by its Analog I/O configuration: the Express 12×4 Cobra, Express 4×12 Cobra, Express 8×8 Cobra, and Express 4×4 Cobra. Each device will now include a 16×16 CobraNet license with the hardware.

Symetrix SymNet 8×8 DSP

Gepco International is now manufacturing and distributing cable solutions for touch-panel automation, architectural lighting, and network data systems specifically designed to meet the requirements of control systems manufactured by Crestron, AMX, Elan, Lutron, Vantage, Lite Touch, and others. The cables feature footage markers, reel or boxed packaging, and UL ratings for permanent installation. Gepco also featured VHD2000M, a RG59-type, high-definition video coax for patch cord and portable video patching applications in HDTV, Standard SDI, and high-resolution analog video formats.

Christie brought a few new products, including its DW30 widescreen projector that features dual 300W lamps, 3000 ANSI lumens 1280×720 resolution and a 5000:1 contrast ratio. It also had the ChristieNet Wave-DVD system that transmits and receives full motions streaming video at XGA resolution.

Neutrik also brought some new products, including one so new it didn’t make the press kit (and was selected as one of our Pick Hit products). The OpticalCon fiber-optic connector provides protection for dirt and dust when the cable is not connected. The system is based on the standard LC-Duplex connection. Also new were Neutrik’s FireWire and USB feed-through products; the FireWire or USB patch cables are attached to either side of the connector. The FireWire feed-through is equipped with a six-pin conductor that passes power and signal conductors between patch cables, and the USB feed-through is 2.0 compatible and reversible.

Beyerdynamic debuted the MCW-D 50 wireless digital conference system. The system consists of the MCW-D 50 control unit, the MCW-D 523 chairman microphone unit, the MCW-D 521 delegate microphone unit, and the CC 10 modular case. The system offers DSSS transmission technology for local only reception and privacy and operates in the 2.4GHz frequency range. The MCW-D 50 Control Unit can control up to 4096 wireless digital microphone units. The MCW-D 521 Delegate microphone unit has a loudspeaker, cardioid gooseneck microphone with illuminated status ring, one microphone button with LED to indicate request-to-speak or on/off, headphone, and documentation output. The MCW-D 523 Chairman microphone unit adds three microphone buttons including LED status, clear and priority.

Meyer Sound announced the 600-HP compact, high-power subwoofer. The 600-HP’s operating frequency range of 33Hz to 150Hz is designed to complement to other Meyer Sound self-powered products. An integral 2-channel class AB/H amplifier with complementary MOSFET output stages supplies total power of 2,250W (4,000W peak). The amplifier, control electronics, and power supply are integrated into a single, field-replaceable module mounted in the rear of the cabinet.

ClearOne exhibited its MaxAttach and MaxAttach Wireless conference phone systems. MaxAttach features echo cancellation, noise cancellation (to eliminate background noise such as HVAC or fan noise), and duplex sound (to enable concurrent speaking and listening). Up to four units can be linked for larger facilities. MaxAttach Wireless allows for wireless operation up to 150ft. away from the base unit.

Stardraw announced that RackTools 3, the newest version of Middle Atlantic Products’ advanced rack specification and layout software is based on a Stardraw engine. RackTools 3 enables you to configure rack enclosures with all required accessories graphically, store and print drawings, and generate purchase orders. RackTools 3 is available as a free download at www.racktools.com. Stardraw.com also announced that Aurora Multimedia, Rane, and Vity products are now supported within Stardraw Control.

TV One debuted a number of new products. The SD-220DA provides 10-bit SDI-to-analog conversion with re-clocking and equalization of the input signal at distances of close to 1,000ft. The SD-210AD incorporates 12-bit A/D converters providing 10-bit video decoding and accepts NTSC, PAL-B, G, N, M, and SECAM inputs. Component video (YUV) input is menu-selectable in either SMPTE or Betacam formats. The 1T-SDI-V handles 525 or 625 line signals and provides NTSC, PAL, PAL-N, and PAL-M output. Composite and S-Video outputs are also included. The SD-108M SDI can automatically detecting inputs of 143, 177, 270, and 360Mbps and provides eight outputs with re-clocking and equalization.

Polycom introduced the Polycom Ceiling Microphone Array, which incorporates three microphone elements to provide 360 degrees of voice pickup in videoconferencing systems. Up to three arrays can be combined for coverage in rooms up to 2,100 square feet.

SLS PLS8695

SLS Loudspeakers highlighted the PLS8695 powered compact line array speaker system. The system incorporates a 24-bit, 96kHz DSP processing engine that was developed utilizing acoustic performance algorithms optimized for the original LS8695. The integrated amplifier provides a 1000W for the low- and mid-frequency ranges and 500W to the high-frequency driver. SLS also unveiled the PS8R bi-amplified nearfield monitor.

AKG Acoustics brought its CCS Series to InfoComm 2005. The series comprises six dynamic microphones each engineered for specific applications: The D 88 S supercardioid lead vocal mic; the D 77 S cardioid microphone for backing vocals, guitar, wind instruments, etc; the D 55 S and D 44 S cardioid mics; and two cardioid instrument mics, the D 11/XLR and D 22/XLR.

Adtec Digital featured the Soloist 3 HD digital media server. The system supports MPEG-2, AVC, WM9, and VC1 in standard and high definition. Video outputs include DVI-D, RGB, and HD downconverted to SD (YC or composite).

Toshiba’s Digital Products Division launched the TDP-TW300U projector. Features include 802.11b/g wireless functionality, and network capabilities for remote control and access via a wired LAN connection. The TDP-TW300U utilizes DLP technology with a brightness output of 3,000 ANSI lumens, a contrast ratio of 2,000:1 and a native 1024×768 XGA resolution.

Philips showed its BDL5511 55in. LCD monitor and promoted its AdtraXion turnkey digital signage solution. Philips also provided a look into what could be the future of display with its Multiview Lenticular 3D display. For more on that, see Jeff Sauer’s August 2005 Picture This, coming soon.

TOA brought its new HX-5 Series Compact Array Speaker System, which features the ability to easily reconfigure the system for 60-degree, 45-degree, 30-degree, and 15-degree coverage angles. Showing its divers product range, TOA also featured the TS Series infrared conference systems.

Liberty Wire & Cable introduced the ConnecTec Termination System, which features a line of more than 60 styles of engineered BNC, F, and RCA coaxial connectors, an ergonomically designed crimp tool, and a pair of coaxial strippers.

Atlas Sound DLS4

Atlas Sound exhibited a diverse range of products and accessories, including WMA Series wall racks and RKW Series wood racks. The RKW12-20 and RKW16-20 are available in 22 1/2in. (12RU) and 29 1/2in. (16RU) heights with an overall depth of 18in. and the RWL2 Rack Work Light. Atlas also introduced a speaker designed and engineered specifically for the airport market, the DLS4 speaker for low-ceiling applications (typically less than 12ft.). Atlas also showed the AH6565CD and AH9040CD stadium horns at InfoComm 2005 and featured a second-generation version of the Varizone IP-addressable digital PA & audio routing system.

Telex Pro Audio Group, with its family of brands—Telex, EV, Midas, Dynacord, Klark Teknik, RTS, and University Sound—brought an extensive array of products to the show, including Electro-Voice’s RE97 headworn mic for wireless systems, the Telex PrintWise 360i DVD/CDDuplication System, and the Dynacord CMS 1000 and 1600 Compact Mixing Systems (10 and 16 channel versions of its new micro-format mixing consoles). Midas brought its Siena console (launched earlier this year).

Telex PrintWise

Sonic Foundry announced the release of the Mediasite 440 Series of Rich Media Recorders that includes the rackmountable Mediasite RL440 Recorder, and the Mediasite VL440 videoconferencing recorder. Mediasite VL440 enables users to record, share, and reuse any visual and audio content from a videoconference with live or on-demand browser-based access. The Mediasite RL440 rackmountable recorder is designed for integration into AV-ready facilities, such as presentation rooms, briefing centers, and lecture halls.

Vista Systems unveiled the Montage II control platform, which supports Vista’s Spyder family of processors and comprises a new control panel and v.2 Vista Advanced Windowing Control software. The system features analog and digital I/Os and a modular design.

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