These products were selected from submitted products by a panel of on-site judges with decades of experience in rental and events. All products were viewed in person at the show and demoed where possible. Congratulations to the teams behind these winning products.
Analog Way // LivePremier 4K/8K Live Switchers
LivePremier is a full range of modular and scalable 4K/8K multi-screen presentation systems and videowall processors designed for high-end staging and premium system integration. LivePremier Aquilon systems combine industrial-grade reliability, real-time 10/12-bit 4:4:4 video processing power and ultra-low latency 4K60p on each input and output. 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 HDMI 2.0, DP1.2, 12G-SDI and future potential formats such as single-cable 8K and IPTV transports. Creative display configuration is supported with features including custom output formats, output rotation, areas of interest (AOI), bezel compensation and pixel pitch management. From the judges: “Analog Way redefines videowall processors with exceptional quality, versatility and an intuitive and smart drag and drop HTML5-based GUI. Event set up is fast and easy saving production valuable time and money. Well designed and thought out.”
crowdbeamer // ProAV, Presentation System
crowdbeamer, the first presentation system that streams any HDMI or VGA video signal in real time to all wirelessly connected portable devices, broadens its product portfolio with a new Enterprise+ model for maximum Wi-Fi coverage. Like the GO, Enterprise & ProAV models before it, crowdbeamer Enterprise+ can be used to share content with a live audience anywhere and anytime. With four dual-band 2.4/5GHz external antennas, crowdbeamer Enterprise+ triples the Wi-Fi range of the GO & Enterprise models, offering an attractive solution for education and training facilities at universities and in corporate environments. The new Enterprise+ model supports an extended WiFi range of 30 meters and more, can be used with a power supply or an external battery pack, delivers enhanced content sharing quality through optimized channel assignment, supports up to 150 simultaneously connected client devices, and can be integrated into a network of crowdbeamer devices to reach an even larger audience. Judges deemed crowdbeamer PRO AV a must-have for large conferences and events where the presenter’s content must reach viewers and make impact. “This is a very smart, simple solution that makes it easy to distribute content to audiences.”
Epson // Pro L30000U Laser Projector
Designed for dynamic, large-venue live productions, the Epson Pro L30000U is the top of Epson’s Pro L Series and offers the best and brightest performance. This projector combines a laser light engine with inorganic components and 3LCD technology to deliver 30,000 lumens of color and white brightness and promises virtually maintenance-free operation. Features 4K-ready lenses and native WUXGA resolution with 4K enhancement technology to display high contrast, true-to-life images. With a sealed optical engine, 3G-SDI and HDBaseT connectivity. Judges praised the “fantastic image with 30,000 lumens and great install options. The HdBaseT connectivity is a much-appreciated option.”
Froggy’s Fog // POSEIDON AQUA 2
Poseidon Aqua 2 is an event-ready, Ultrasonic Low Fog Generator. It continuously creates high-output low-lying fog without the use of cryogenics, refrigeration plants, or dry ice. Advanced ultrasonic technology internally combines with traditional thermally-produced fog so the only fog fluid, water, and electrical power are required. It’s positioned for professional production, touring, themed entertainment, or theatrical application requiring voluminous low fog production that is quiet, efficient, and cost-effective. The rugged chassis is designed for the rigors of touring. What stood out for the judges was the control capabilities; it’s controlled with a simple, user-friendly LCD display, intuitive controls, and DMX onboard. “The product provides a simple effect, but more importantly delivers the ability to reliably control that effect with a brilliant process,” they summed up.
L-Acoustics // A10 & A15 Constant Curvature Line Source
The new ARCS A15 and A10 systems deliver L-Acoustics concert performance and reliability for audiences from 50 to 5,000. Mounted on a pole, stacked on the companion KS21 or flown in vertical or horizontal arrays, the new ARCS family combines plug-and-play ease and international market acceptance of a top brand. “The A10 and A15 features excellent sound quality, but the standout rigging capabilities make setup in various positions and arrays fast and easy. A Pan-flex feature allows a wide variety of configurations to fine tune set per venue, and it has excellent calibration software,” noted the judges. This versatile solution, with adjustable directivity, scales with the needs of a company and is the gateway to the L-Acoustics rental network.
Leyard // CarbonLight LED Displays
Leyard CarbonLight LED Displays are a comprehensive line of display solutions designed specifically for rental and staging installations. With a broad range of models, Leyard CarbonLight delivers a wide range of unique LED display solutions for the increasingly creative installations coming from show and event designers. Leyard CarbonLight solutions share a patented carbon fiber construction that makes the displays uniquely lightweight, thin, strong and feature a refined mechanical construction for fast and flexible installation. “The CarbonLight line is remarkable, durable and can be used outdoors—a big plus for versatility,” said the judges. Although “the maintenance and calibration process makes it a bit more trouble than competing products in this category,” the consensus was that the image performance and flexibility was worth it.
NEC // 27” NEC MultiSync EA271Q
The NEC EA271Q features a USB Type-C connection, which provides a connection to the monitor and charges a connected laptop or device with only a single USB cable. It’s ideal for mobile office users, eliminating the need for a power cord for a device connected to the monitor. The monitor also features DisplayPort in/out, which can be used to set up multi-monitor configurations with a single cable, and ControlSync, which will keep settings synchronized between multiple displays. The unit offers a large desktop workplace with fewer distractions due to its 3-sided narrow bezel. “This product crosses all the ‘Ts’ and dots the ‘I’s’ for its intended application. This stands out from other products in this category,” the judges report.
Optoma // FHDQ130 QUAD LED All-In-One Display
The Optoma FHDQ130 1080p QUAD LED Display was one of the standout visuals on the show floor, providing a comprehensive large display solution with 130 inches (2.88 x 1.62 m) and 4K compatibility for rich colors and incredible detail. Ease of setup for the QUAD LED display has been emphasized, with a simplified three-step installation process that takes hours instead of days, thanks to an all-in-one design that includes an image processor, centralized power cage, receiver cards and more. The all-in-one QUAD LED display also comes pre-calibrated out of the box, removing the need for additional software management or separate devices, ensuring the image is optimized for immediate use. “The product surpasses its competitors with the simple front install of panel and the edge connection (so few wires!) and auto calibration,” observed a judge. The display boasts a 4-in-1 Surface Mount Diode layout, with the LED diodes set in clusters of four with a 1.55mm pixel pitch for a smoother screen surface, 170-degree horizontal and vertical wide viewing angle and a robust design.
Renkus Heinz // IC Live X Steerable Array Loudspeakers
The new ICL-X Series is a complete, integrated system, offering two combinable steered-array modules, the ICL-X and ICL-XL, and two matching subwoofers, the ICL-XS and ICL-X-118S. ICL-X Units can be combined in arrays up to 12 modules tall to create highly directional arrays that deliver high-impact, high-performance sound to the most challenging reverberant spaces, without compromising musicality or intelligibility. The ICL-X Series incorporates Renkus-Heinz’s proprietary Acoustic Source Multiplier (ASM) waveguide, enabling the HF section to be coaxially mounted in front of the LF section. The ASM waveguide also dramatically reduces inter-driver spacing, ensuring gradient lobefree performance to the highest audible frequencies. Steerability down to 100 Hz or lower makes these ideal for theaters, performing arts centers, corporate venues, and houses of worship. “IC Live X Loudspeakers provide users with excellent sound and a high degree of steerability. This is thanks to excellent software capabilities that carefully fine-tune output,” observed the judges.
Shure // TwinPlex Lavalier & Headset Microphones
TwinPlex, Shure’s new line of premium subminiature omnidirectional lavalier and headset microphones was designed over several years from the ground up to provide a premium option. The new dual-diaphragm, patent-pending capsule technology offers best-in-class sound in a compact and easy-to-conceal package, designed to capture the speakers’ whole voice. The improved off-axis consistency enables sound to read accurately even when users aren’t speaking directly into the microphone. “Lav and headset microphones often must choose between pro performance and rugged durability,” noted a judge. “This product provides top notch performance with broadcast and theatrical needs in mind.” The easy-to-conceal package is perfect for quick costume changes or discrete placements under wardrobes without sound quality affected. TwinPlex cables are uniquely strong, light and flexible, immune to kinks and memory effects—ensuring they lay flat under any costume wardrobe or clothing.
Versatop // 2.0 Inversion Series Upright
In 2010, Versatop made its name by revolutionizing pipe and drape with its 2.0 connection system. At InfoComm, the company introduced the Inversion Series of telescoping upright poles. The patent pending Glide-Lock system allows users to set these upright poles inverted. The result is a system that allows a “from-the-ground-up” extension of the upright to the required height, without having to stand on a ladder. The unique design allows the user to stand firmly on the ground in a safe lifting position while raising and lowering the telescoping pole. “Dramatic labor savings are realized with this innovative solution for pipe and drape. Fits perfectly in with the Versatop family of simple “fixes,” making pipe and drape set up fast, safe and highly productive,” conclude the judges.
