New Products: May 2005
H&b High-definition plasma displays, Inter-M Americas speaker line tester, dbx Professional Products digital graphic equalizer …
Plasma display pedestalMulti-zone AV receiverWireless conferencing systemNetworkable projectorLCD displaySoundmasking solutionDigital audio recorderDLP projectorDVI extension solutionIn-ceiling loudspeakerAV receiverPower amplifierDigital AV receiversPlasma displayMPEG-2 IP AV nodePicture-in-picture processorDVI-to-HDMI adaptersComputer-to-video scan converterSurround sound processorVideo signal processorsHandheld audio analyzerInteractive flat-panel overlay
The PFFP Platinum Furniture Plasma TV Pedestal from Sanus Systems is designed to support flat-panel displays that measure up to 50 inches diagonal and weigh up to 130 pounds. The pedestal features a Virtual Axis tilting system, a hidden cable cabinet, and an adjustable glass shelf that supports up to 50 pounds. The pedestal comes in a silver finish. Price: $399. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Sanus Systems at 651-484-7988 or at www.sanus.com.
Onkyo Professional has debuted the TX-SR55 AV receiver, which is targeted for use in offices, restaurants, gyms, and houses of worship. The unit offers full 7.1-channel processing, 7×85 W amplification, and high-definition-capable component video switching including up-conversion of composite and S-video sources. For multi-zone applications, the TX-SR55 features a built-in port for A-bus audio system distribution and a fixed/variable Zone 2 output to feed a second zone receiver or amplifier. Two of the receiver’s internal amplifier channels can also be dedicated to powering a second room, while simultaneously providing full 5.1-channel audio in the main zone. Price: $799. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Onkyo Professional at 800-229-1687 or at www.onkyopro.com.
The Close-Talk wireless conferencing system from Media Vision consists of a central unit, an optional number of delegate units, and one or more transceiver units. The wireless system uses up to six infrared communications channels to transmit sound from the transceiver to the delegate units, which enables multiple speakers to talk simultaneously. Standard RJ45 sockets enable the connectivity from the central unit to the infrared transceivers. An RS232 serial port on the central units enables communication with a PC or control devices. Price: $1,099. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Media Vision at 415-391-9090 or at www.mediavision-usa.com.
Christie’s LX50 is a networkable LCD projector designed for business and entertainment applications. The projector offers 5,000 ANSI lumens of brightness, a 1,200:1 contrast ratio, and native XGA (1024×768) resolution with scaling for signals up to SXGA resolution and all HDTV formats. For control and preventative maintenance, networking is provided via an optional ChristieNET solution over the unit’s TCP/IP network. Price: $10,495. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Christie at 714-236-8610 or at www.christiedigital.com.
The LVM-37w1 37-inch LCD display from Westinghouse features 1920×1080 progressive scan resolution and Faroudja’s DCDi and TruLife video processing technologies. The display offers a 600:1 contrast ratio, 550 cd/m2 brightness, 12 ms response time, a 16.7-million True Color display, and a 176-degree viewing angle. Inputs include two DVI with HDCP, two component video, and standard VGA and RCA connectors. Price: $2,499. Availability: second quarter of 2005. For more information, contact Westinghouse at 626-333-9252 or at www.westinghousedigital.com.
The DS2400E Soundmasker from Dynasound is a plenum-rated metal housing designed to protect pipes, square ducts, round ducts, and walls from electronic and human eavesdropping techniques. The unit resonates eavesdropping penetrations by filling the pipes or ducts with soundmasking and/or misinformation, as well as resonating the plane of any wall along the perimeter of a secure environment. Price: N/A. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Dynasound at 800-989-6275 or at www.dynasound.com.
Designed for multi-channel field recording applications, the R-4 from Edirol is a four-channel portable digital recorder that allows users to record audio resolutions up to 24-bit/96 kHz on all four channels. The processor features a built-in limiter and five separate dynamics processors: three-band parametric EQ, six-band graphic EQ, noise gate, enhancer, and compressor/de-esser. The R-4 records directly to an internal 40 GB hard drive, which provides capacity for 58 hours of 16-bit/44.1 kHz stereo recording or 17 hours at 24-bit/96 kHz. Price: N/A. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Edirol at 360-594-4273 or at www.edirol.com.
Targeted at mobile professionals, educators, and corporate users for use in small- and medium-sized business applications, the TDP-S25U DLP projector from Toshiba offers 1,800 ANSI lumens of brightness, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, and native SVGA (800×600) resolution. It features a monitor output connector that allows users to view presentations from an external display in addition to the content projected on the screen. Additional features include one-touch auto setup, keystone correction, and a remote control. Price: $999. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Toshiba at 877-523-8324 or at www.toshibadirect.com.
Gefen’s DVI Booster is a compact unit designed to correct video signal degradation occurring over stretches of DVI copper cables that extend a display from its high-definition source. According to the company, the DVI Booster corrects video signals and propels the signal, providing users with an extra 30 to 50 feet of extension without signal degradation from high-definition resolutions of 1080i or higher. Price: $249. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Gefen at 818-884-6294 or at www.gefen.com.
Targeted for use in exhibition centers, large retail and grocery stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and hotel ballrooms, Soundsphere’s Q-CS100 omnidirectional in-ceiling loudspeaker offers 100 W RMS maximum power, a 45 Hz to 16 kHz ±4.5 dB frequency response, and 114 dB maximum SPL. The loudspeaker features the company’s Exponential Diffusion Control, which enables music reproduction at up to 90 degrees off axis at any volume. Price: N/A. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Soundsphere at 203-386-9200 or at www.soundsphere.com.
Samsung Electronics America has debuted the seven-channel, all-digital AV-R3000 AV receiver. The unit provides HDMI and DVI switching via four HDMI inputs, one HDMI output, two DVI inputs, and one DVI output. The receiver features Faroudja DCDi chip technology, 250 W per channel output power, and a multi-zone function that enables users to select different AV sources for up to three rooms. The AV-R3000 is compatible with 480p, 720p, and 1080i HDTV resolutions. Price: $4,999. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Samsung at 201-229-4000 or at www.samsung.com.
Targeted for use in fixed installation and touring applications, MC2Audio has introduced the E45 switch-mode power amplifier. The E45 provides 3,200 W per channel into 2 ohms, 2,250 W per channel into 4 ohms, and 1,200 W per channel into 8 ohms. The amplifier features a 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB frequency response, an actively balanced input impedance of 20,000 ohms, and occupies only 2U rack spaces. Price: $4,595. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact MC2 Audio at 516-249-1399 or at www.mc2-audio.co.uk.
Pioneer’s VSX-1015TX, VSX-915, VSX-815, and VSX-515 digital AV receivers feature sound processing options including Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and Windows Media Audio 9 Professional. The seven-channel VSX-1015TX (pictured here) offers 120 W of power for each channel; the seven-channel VSX-915 provides 110 W of power for each channel; the seven-channel VSX-815 offers 100 W of power for each channel; and the VSX-515 provides 110 W of power for each of its six channels. All models offer component and S-video switching. Price: $650 (VSX-1015TX); $475 (VSX-915); $365 (VSX-815); $275 (VSX-515). Availability: currently available (all models). For more information, contact Pioneer at 800-746-6337 or at www.pioneerelectronics.com.
Daewoo Electronics has added the DP-50SM to its plasma display line. The 50-inch display offers 1,000 cd/m2 peak luminance and can handle 480i/p, 1080i, and native 720p resolutions. The 4.2-inch-deep display offers a 160-degree viewing angle and is available with component, DVI, AV, and cable card inputs. According to the company, the DP-50SM can regenerate and correct difficult natural 3D colors. Price: $4,999. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Daewoo at +82-2-769-2111 or at www.e-daewoo.com
Visionary Solutions has introduced the AVN200 stand-alone IP AV node, which is designed for full-motion, high-resolution MPEG-2 video transmission over IP. The device’s RJ45 connection enables users to stream real-time video over a LAN or WAN at 30 f/s. The unit supports NTSC and PAL video input formats and offers S-video, composite video (BNC), and 1/8-inch stereo audio inputs. The AVN200 features an embedded platform that provides consistent full-motion video without delay, jitter, packet loss, and packet out-of-order instability, according to the company. Price: $995. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Visionary Solutions at 805-566-5811 or at www.vsicam.com.
The PIP 422 and PIP 444 are video picture-in-picture processors from Extron designed for use in videoconferencing, distance learning, and event/staging applications. The PIP 422 is designed to display two video windows on the same screen, while the PIP 444 (pictured here) displays up to four video windows. The models support S-video, composite, and component video sources. Both models also feature a dedicated, configurable input for each video window, and provide a buffered loop-through output for each input. Price: $1,195 (PIP 422); $4,495 (PIP 444). Availability: currently available (both models). For more information, contact Extron Electronics at 714-491-1500 or at www.extron.com.
Tributaries has introduced two DVI-to-HDMI adapters, the HDMI (female) to DVI-D (male) and the DVI-D (female) to HDMI (male). Both models offer gold-plated contacts, which are surrounded by a copper foil shield and over-molded with a black polyvinyl chloride shell. According to the company, gold plating on all contact surfaces and external metal parts provides long-term, corrosion-free connections. Price: N/A. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Tributaries at 800-521-1596 or at www.tributariescable.com.
TV One’s CS-470 is a computer-to-video scan converter with a genlock and overlay feature. The unit allows users to convert computer graphics to standard NTSC or PAL video. An onboard digital luminance keyer enables graphics to be keyed over an external composite or S-video signal, and used to key-out black areas of computer images, which can be replaced with external video. The CS-470 is PC- and Mac-compatible, and provides direct control via its front panel and remote control with an Internet connection through its RS232 port. Price: N/A. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact TV One at 800-721-4044 or at www.tvone.com.
Parasound has introduced the NewClassic 7100 surround sound processor, which is THX-and Ultra2-certified. It enables users to switch up to 10 audio and video sources with six analog inputs, four coaxial and four optical digital audio inputs, and a 7.1-channel analog input with bass management. For video, the unit offers six composite, four S-video, and three component inputs — all of which are upconverted to the component output. The unit’s two-way RS232 port provides integration and control for connection with touchpanel controls. Price: $3,000. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Parasound at 415-397-7100 or at www.parasound.com.
Targeted for use in boardrooms, houses of worship, and other small-sized installations, the FSR Indie 300, Indie 400 SDI, and the Indie 400 HD signal processors offer three universal inputs, four video outputs, 10-bit processing, and an Ethernet connection. The Indie 300 features three universal inputs, four video outputs, and 10-bit processing; the Indie 400 SDI offers an SDI input and output, motion adaptive de-interlacing for HDTV inputs, and logo image capture and recall; and the Indie 400 HD (pictured here) features an HD/SDI input and output, DVI-I connectors that support universal analog and DVI input with loop-through on Input 1, and a DVI-D output. Price: $5,295 (Indie 300); $6,495 (Indie 400 SDI); $8,595 (Indie 400 HD). Availability: currently available (all models). For more information, contact FSR at 973-785-4347 or at www.fsrinc.com.
The ATB3C handheld audio analyzer from Sencore is designed for commercial audio systems consultants, designers, and installers. The analyzer features a sound level meter, FET analyzer, real-time analyzer, sound study graph, and an impedance meter. A removable SD memory card enables users to collect and archive sound clips and store and organize test data. To analyze existing spaces prior to system design, an integrated USB audio preamp provides users the ability to feed calibrated audio into a computer-based acoustical analysis program. Price: $3,295. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact Sencore at 800-736-2673 or at www.sencore.com.
Targeted at digital signage applications, the Actalyst interactive overlay from SMART Technologies enables 37- to 63-inch flat-panel displays to become touch-sensitive. The overlay allows users to access and control customized multimedia content, computer applications, websites, CD-ROMs, or DVDs via an attached computer. The software is available for most Windows operating systems and is compatible with content-development software. Price: $2,199 to $2,999, depending on screen size. Availability: currently available. For more information, contact SMART Technologies at 888-427-6278 or at www.smarttech.com.
