These awards recognize outstanding products exhibited at the 2019 InfoComm Show. Winners were selected from more than 200 submitted entries by a panel of professional users and editors, who demo’ed and/or viewed the entries on the show floor. Judges evaluated the products against a set of criteria including perceived ease of use, installation, and maintenance; performance versus the category standard; richness and relevance of the feature set; network friendliness; versatility; value/ROI; and anticipated reliability. Congratulations to all the designers, engineers, and decision-makers involved with these products.
The AMX Acendo Core Collaboration System is now ready to support and natively run the Zoom Meetings app to instantly launch one-touch Zoom Meetings. By giving enterprise customers the choice of using Zoom Meetings, Skype for Business and other web conferencing and meeting solutions, users can simplify meetings, regardless of platform. Zoom Meetings offers users video conferencing and messaging to record meetings locally or to the cloud, with searchable transcripts. Multiple participants can share screens simultaneously and co-annotate for a more interactive meeting. “This is a very nicely packaged system for videoconferencing. It is especially well-suited for small conference rooms,” said the judges.
LivePremier is a full range of modular and scalable 4K/8K multi-screen presentation systems and videowall processors supporting presentation for high-end staging and premium system integration. The LivePremier Aquilon is a “very capable, powerful and cool high-end video switcher,” as the judges described it, combining industrial-grade reliability, real-time 10/12-bit 4:4:4 video processing power and pure 4K60p on each input and output with ultra-low latency. In its largest chassis configuration, LivePremier Aquilon offers up to 24 inputs and 20 outputs and up to 24 4K freely assignable layers. Field-replaceable I/O connector modules allow connectivity to a variety of formats, including HDMI2.0, DP1.2, 12G-SDI and future potential formats such as single-cable 8K and IPTV transports. Up to 64 channels of audio can be de-embedded from video sources, routed directly to a Dante network and re-embedded from external audio processor to send to display, recording device, or streaming.
Ashly Audio’s new mXa-1502 Mixer Amp is an integrated product bringing together four zones of mixing and DSP, plus 2 x 150W of power and programmable mic preamps and a complete DSP suite—all made simple in a single, compact, elegant rack-mountable unit. The mXa-1502 is primed to help integrators win more clients among the small- and medium-sized business sectors of retail, hospitality, and house of worship. “The unit is ideal for small restaurant, and store spaces with limited sources, zones and controls,” said the judges. Integrators can easily perform system configuration and deliver long-term assistance thanks to the mixer amp’s built-in web server, which offers a web-based control platform. If an end user requires assistance, an integrator can first login to the controls remotely online before rolling a truck out to the site.
The ATUC-IR Hybrid Infrared Discussion System features easy-to-use, plug-and-play functionality, and the use of both infrared and wired discussion units. The hybrid system offers reliable, clear and intelligible communication to increase meeting efficiency and effectiveness, while providing 24-bit/48kHz uncompressed digital audio for natural-sounding voice reproduction, along with a 12-band feedback suppressor that enables higher volume levels. “One of the best features,” the judges point out, “is the ability to pick which IR channels to use.”
PAVIRO is a unique, high-quality public address and EN 54-certified voice evacuation system that integrates with additional equipment to support high-resolution music distribution, live paging and pre-programmed messages across as many as 984 loudspeaker zones. Intelligent matrix switching and a small number of highly flexible system components—including a single amplifier model—simplify design and installation. Judges liked that PAVIRO also integrates with digital signage players for a fuller experience. Equipped with the optional Dante network interface module (OM-1), it is possible to create a 16-channel Dante audio network among the individual controllers using standard Ethernet connections and components.
ClearOne’s patented Beamforming Microphone Array Ceiling Tile carries built-in acoustic echo cancellation, noise cancellation, and beam selection that eliminates the need for per-beam processing in a DSP mixer. The integrated features of the BMA CT can significantly reduce system design complexity, simplify installation, streamline configuration and programming, consume less rack space, and lower cost. It also includes a built in 2×10 Watt power amplifier to conveniently drive loudspeakers. The judges liked the feature set as well: “The beamforming ceiling tile mic connects via a CAT-6 cable to the DSP unit,” judges note. “Up to three mics can be daisy chained in three zones or even three separate rooms. The built-in amplifier and on-board LED indicators definitely add to ease of integration in many applications.”
The Crestron DM-NVX-D80-IoAV network AV decoder is an all-new solution that instantly transforms a display into a native DM NVX endpoint. The DM NVX decoder plugs into the OPS (Open Pluggable Specification) port and is powered by the display, eliminating the need for messy cables and cumbersome power modules allowing displays to be flush mounted on the wall wherever you want. DMNVX-D80-IoAV greatly simplifies installation and eliminates programming. With its ability to integrate with Crestron XiO Cloud, DM-NVX-D80-IoAV allows system managers to infinitely control each display from one centralized location. DM NVX offers the densest image with the finest detail-as good as direct source. From the judges: “The DM-NVX-D80-IoAV is a game-changer because it connects display manufacturers to AV over IP and DM-NVX.”
The Crestron Flex UC-M130 T system provides a complete video conference room solution for use with the Microsoft Teams intelligent communications platform. It supports a single video display, and features the Crestron Mercury Tabletop UC Audio Conference Console, which comprises a high performance, full duplex conferencing speakerphone and touch screen controller in one tabletop device. Crestron Flex transforms any meeting room, huddle space, or executive office into a collaboration space, enabling people to work together and share content irrespective of location. Intuitive operation, full duplex wideband audio, and full motion HD video enhance comfort and productivity for participants. “The Flex UC-M130 T video conferencing system will be an ‘easy sell’ with its ease-of-use and feature rich UX,” according to one judge. Occupancy detection using a patent pending combination of motion and voice activity provides several benefits. Judges thought that “integrators will appreciate the integrated 360 quad microphone array that is able to capture every seat at the table.”
The new d&b A-Series introduces a unique loudspeaker concept that sees advanced waveguide design combined with d&b enabling technologies. With flexible splay angles, this evolutionary system addresses a wide range of medium size applications where the highest levels of coverage flexibility is paramount without sacrificing audio quality. “The speaker sounded great and transparent,” said the judges. Realizing all the adaptability of a point source cluster with the extensive control options of a d&b line array, the system comprises the AL60 and AL90 loudspeakers, with ALi60 and ALi90 offering cabinets designed specifically for permanent installation.
The new DisplayNet DN-150 Series represents a breakthrough in performance and value for IP-based AV signal distribution. Starting at under $1,000 per endpoint, the DN-150 Series supports signals with resolutions of up to 4K/60p (4:4:4) with 8-bit color, or 4K/60p (4:2:2) with 10 or 12-bit color. Based on the latest SDVoE standard, these units provide broad scalability, fast switching with zero frame latency and zero artifact image quality. They also are fully interoperable with all SDVoE-compatible products, including the award-winning DisplayNet DN-200 Series. The DN-150 Series relies on the intuitive DisplayNet Manager user-interface that makes set-up and maintenance of these units incredibly fast and easy. “When used with DVIGear’s control software, this allows ease of control and set-up,” the judges note. “It’s a good sturdy SDVoE solution.”
Responding to demands to reduce installation errors and rework, and for a hands-free remote support solution, Epson Moverio Assist is an affordable, easy-to-use, “see-what-I-see” remote assistance and inspection solution. It utilizes Moverio smart glasses for pre- and post-installation inspections as well as difficult repairs or work tasks at customer sites. By enabling realtime video collaboration between remote experts and on-site AV installers, Moverio Assist helps make site inspections, installations and/or complex repairs quicker and with fewer mistakes, leading to increased productivity, improved customer satisfaction and reduced travel costs. Judges found the product both ingenious and relevant. “This very cool form factor of eyewear has numerous applications including product support and visual ADA.”
The Pro L10 Series are Epson’s most compact interchangeable-lens laser projectors. The series feature 4K enhancement, HDBaseT connectivity, and wide lens shift designed to meet growing projection needs in corporate, education and live event markets. “This is a compact yet full featured video projector, with great lens selection,” confirmed the judges. Compatible with 11 optional powered lenses, including a .35 throw-ratio ultra-short-throw lens with zero offset, the Pro L10 Series offer built-in image warping, edge blending, overlay shape and color filters, playlists and free software for multi-projector setup. The new projectors produce detailed, high-contrast images and a Bt.709 color space for more realistic images and easier to read presentations. Leveraging a minimalist, discreet design and quiet fan noise, Epson’s Pro L10 Series offer flexible installation and diverse connectivity to support immersive consumer experiences even in the most demanding environments.
The HD-AUD-IO is an all-in-one HDMI audio manager capable of embedding and de-embedding audio to and from an HDMI video signal. It’s a “handy tool” for environments where the audio path follows a different path than the video, such as sports bars, houses of worship, and retail stores. “What a compact, simple and cost-effective solution,” judges observed. The HDMI input audio signal simultaneously extracts to both 2-channel L/R analog and Digital SPDIF (TOSLINK). With analog and digital audio inputs can select which audio to embed in the HDMI output. It can be the same as the original HDMI audio (pass-thru), SPDIF digital, or 3.5mm L/R analog. Advanced EDID management allows users to control the video portion as well as the audio part of the EDID. It has a video bandwidth of 18 Gbps and supported resolutions up to 4K @ 60 Hz 4:4:4 with HDR. It supports HDCP 2.2 as well as HDCP 1.4. RS-232 controllable either through one of Hall Research’s control systems or an outside third-party provider.
USA, Missouri, St. Louis
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