
February 2008
Features
Audio for the Arts

By Charles Conte
A decade ago, the city of Modesto, Calif. dreamed of building an arts center…
Digital Signage Servers and Players

By Bennett Liles
The digital signage realm is huge, not only in its growing acceptance and implementation in the retail world, but also in the many components and iterations…
Technology Showcase: PTZ Security Cameras

By Jay Ankeney
Most of us grew up under the nightmare tutelage of George Orwell’s famous novel 1984, which warned us of the dangers of constant surveillance. Yet the…
Installation Profile: High-tech Hotspot

By Allen DeRilke
Like many urban downtowns, inner-city Philadelphia has been undergoing a renaissance of late….
Reviews
Symetrix Zone Mix 760

By John McJunkin
The Zone Mix 760 is the first product in the Symetrix Integrator series, and it is a zone mixer intended for use in restaurants, sports bars, fitness clubs, night clubs, hotels, retail outlets, casinos, and other such applications…
NEC MultiSync LCD4620-AV

By Jeff Sauer
There are a lot of flatpanel TVs out there these days, many of which you’ll find for commodity prices at the local superstore or warehouse club…
Columns
Picture This: Consumer Electronics Show 2008

By Jeff Sauer
When I first started attending the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 15 years ago, products didn’t usually show at CES in January if they wouldn’t be ready to start volume production in the spring…
Creature AV
By Michael Goldman
This issue’s story on the expansion of the George Aquarium ballroom hit my desk shortly after I got a release about an AV exhibit dubbed “Big Cat Falls” at the Philadelphia Zoo…
Expert Viewpoint: On the Level

By Garret Maki
I can summarize what you need to know about audio DSP system gain structure in two basic points: Don’t clip the converters. Internally, don’t run levels…
Associations Focus: Recognizing Achievement
The Electronic Lifestyles Designer and Manufacturers’ Excellence Awards are highly sought after in the industry, and higher standards and new categories have been put in place this year…
POV: Designing a Better InfoComm
By Mark S. Valenti, CTS
It is tradition for the new president of the InfoComm Board of Governors to provide the membership and the broader community with an update of what the association plans to accomplish in the upcoming year…
Departments
The Buzz: Installation Spotlight: Three Monkeys Restaurant, Sacramento, Calif.

By Trevor Boyer
Three Monkeys Restaurant is housed in a 150-year-old building in downtown Sacramento, Calif., where many buildings date back as far as the 1850s. In order…
The Buzz: Installation Spotlight: Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta

Staff Report
The Georgia Aquarium, which opened in 2005, is the world’s largest facility of its kind and features more than 100,000 animals representing 500 species…
What’s New
What’s New: Audio Technology

By Laura Dixon and Eric Melin
Two versions of the new Soundcraft GB2R rackmountable mixer are available, both with six auxiliary sends. One features 16 mono inputs to a stereo-mix…
What’s New: Video Technology

By Laura Dixon and Eric Melin
The new FL7000U is Mitsubishi’s first ultra-bright 1080p HD projector for commercial, home theater, and education installations. Projecting 5000 lumens with a 1000:1 contrast ratio…
What’s New: Residential Technology

By Laura Dixon and Eric Melin
The Sunfire CRM-2BIP on-wall bi-pole surround sound loudspeaker features the same advanced ribbon technology as other Cinema Ribbon models, but its low-profile cabinet—measuring 3 5/8in….
Focus on Hospitality
Focus on Hospitality: Technology Updates Help Guests Stay Connected

By Jack Kontney
The modern hospitality industry is in a constant state of flux, trying to balance the need for return on investment against rising pressure to provide…
Focus on Hospitality: New Products

TH-42PR10U plasma display Panasonic The 42in. TH-42PR10U high-definition plasma display is equipped with three interchangeable slots that can accommodate…