Adder Technology // ADDERLink INFINITY 100T (ALIF100T)
With its unique dongle form factor, the ALIF100T is an innovation in IP-based, KVM transmission that can be powered by USB as part of the ADDERLink INFINITY KVM extension/ matrix. The dongle is a quarter of the size and consumes a quarter of the power of a conventional rack unit yet delivers up to a maximum of 1920×1200@ 60Hz through DVI or DisplayPort interface. As a dongle, it plugs straight into the back of a computer, requiring zero U space in the control room rack; it can be easily retrofitted and integrated into existing installations. Judges liked this effort to respond to very real market concerns about the hard costs of rackspace real estate, and the need for alternatives to fully-featured black boxes.
Bittree // Patchbays ProStudio PS96DB25 Audio Patchbay Series
Bittree’s ProStudio PS96DB25 series of audio patchbays also distinguish on space efficiency, available in 96-connector rackmount configurations. Judges like the combination of sturdiness, audio quality, feature set, low noise, and affordability in the ProStudio line. This new front-programmable ProStudio element is a 1.5RU rackmount model with 96 TT (bantam) jacks in a high-density 2×48 configuration, with 12 DB25 rear connectors for interfacing with Avid ProTools and Tascam gear. (The internally-configurable ProStudio PS96DB25i option packs similar connectivity into just 1RU of rack space).
Epson // LightScene 3LCD Laser Projectors
This new category of interactive lighting laser projectors from Epson are great for for digital art, spatial design, and signage. Simultaneously illuminating and projecting experiential content on virtually any surface or material, LightScene responds to touch at the surface; the booth content experience was excellent. The projectors are available in black and white, with web-based content management options and flexible vertical and horizontal 360-degree rotation and mounting on tracks, floors, walls, or ceilings and can be controlled with Crestron, Art-Net, and more. Can be daisy-chained or edge-blended.
Epson // Pro L1755UNL with ELPLX02 Lens
Leveraging Epson’s 3LCD technology, the Pro L1755UNL integrates a laser-light source with an inorganic phosphor wheel and inorganic LCD panels. Judges liked the combination with a unique new ultra short-throw lens (one of nine that are compatible) the rich pictures that came from native WUXGA at 15,000 lumens of color and white brightness (yet only 120 volts!) The ELPLX02 lens can project from 100 inches up to 1,000 inches, with a .35 throw ratio. The combination of lens and projector can be installed just inches from a screen or wall, away from foot traffic for high drama applications.
IHSE // Draco ultra series KVM Extenders
This line has been a frequent favorite with judges. This time, IHSE has expanded its Draco ultraseries for DisplayPort to include several new models now supporting HDMI, DVI, and SDI formats. These compact extender units are available in a wide range of frame styles, and when combined with optional expansion cards, can accommodate auxiliary signal formats such as analog or digital audio, embedded USB 2.0, and RS-232/422 for signal control. They can be used stand-alone extenders for long distance separation between computers and monitors. Or HDMI, DVI, VGA, DisplayPort, and SDI sources can all be shared in the same matrix frame and routed to any display connected to the system.
Leyard and Planar, a Leyard Company // Leyard TWS Series
The Leyard TWS Series of fine-pitch LED video walls got high visibility for their role in the NBC Olympics set. It’s available in on-camera pixel pitches of 1.5 and 1.8mm, as well as finer pixel pitches of 0.9 and 1.2mm—all at Full HD, 4K, or 8K resolution. Built to be lightweight and easy to handle, models in the series can be used for architectural applications such as faceted curved video walls or traditional video walls that need to be compact. In addition to the picture, judges liked the compact, all-in-one design with video power, control, and redundancy in one location–no external boxes or converters.
Matrox // Maevex 6150 Quad 4K Encoder
The Matrox Maevex 6150 quad 4K encoder appliance delivers quad 4K input capture and encode, supporting at least four concurrent 4K streams and recordings simultaneously. It’s aimed at applications that simultaneously stream on premises, stream to the cloud, and record for distribution later. Judges liked its IT-friendly integration with standard 1 GigE networks. Coupled with Maevex PowerStream Plus software, the Maevex 6150 quad 4K enterprise encoder appliance provides flexible management of local or remote data, providing the kind of control and monitoring that IT-fluent users expect.
Ross // Ultrix FR5 Software Defined Router
The Ross Ultrix-FR5 delivers a full-featured routing platform with integrated MultiViewers and FrameSyncs in a compact 5RU chassis. The ability to change and update functionality via software license means Ultrix users can scale to suit. Utilizing 12G chipsets throughout the router, it allows users to switch anything from 270 Mb/s to single link 12G UHD signals all within the same chassis—that good for migration to UHD. Judges liked it for churches who can’t always make that move all at once.
Sharp Electronics // 8K-UHD LCD Monitor
The 70in. 8K-UHD LCD monitor offers 8K upscaling, wide color technology, and 8K high dynamic range, providing users the opportunity to experience high-definition, high-quality images that conform to the 8K standard image and supports HDR extended display at an 8K resolution. With this monitor 4K and 2K video input terminals allow up-conversion to 8K, and still pictures over 4K resolution can be displayed with the same size. The HDR feature caught everybody’s eye—just gorgeous pictures.
VITEC // EZ TV IPTV and Digital Signage Platform VWP-6
VITEC’s enterprise-grade IPTV and digital signage platform, EZ TV, has been upgraded to manage and drive complex videowall setups and is interoperable with modern content protection and DRM standards. These new capabilities integrate into the VITEC’s unique, centralized platform. This platform utilizes hardware-based IPTV and signage end-points for low-latency 1080p60 playback and reliability—you’ll often see them in large-scale deployments like stadiums. The new VWP-6 videowall management and DRM processors are all hardware-based, for low-latency native playback of IPTV streams up to 4K, interactive content, video, and imagery transformations. Up to 60 displays can be managed from a single processor.
