June 2009 New Products: Video
CAMERA CONTROL CONSOLE
Vaddio’s new ProductionVIEW HD-SDI camera control console offers HD-SDI and SD-SDI video switching, video mixing, and automated control functionality. Because many integrated robotic cameras have SDI as a native output or offer optional HD-SDI or SD-SDI cards, the new console was created for users who need an HD-SDI switcher with joystick camera control built into the console, says the company. It also includes a 6×2 HD/SD-SDI video switcher. The control surface has a broadcast-style, three-axis Hall effect joystick with twist handle zoom control along with pan, tilt, and speed control knobs. There are six discrete auto-sensing RS-232 camera control ports and 12 camera pre-sets per camera for storing frequent shots. Price: $9,995. Vaddio. 800-572-2011.
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PROJECTOR LIFT
The Chief SL151 automated Smart-Lift Projector Mount is now UL listed and resized to drop directly into 2×2 tiles. Engineered for finished ceilings in homes and corporate offices, the mount offers accurate positioning, including vertical projector cradle adjustments and fore/aft projector positioning, according to Chief. The SL151 automatically lowers the projector from the ceiling so a user can reveal or conceal the projector by pressing a button. Quick-disconnect provides convenient lamp and filter access on most projectors, and the Smart-Lift mount maintains registration when disconnected, according to Chief. The low-profile design means little clearance is required above the ceiling. Price: $2,499. Chief Manufacturing. 800-582-6480.
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RECEIVER/STREAM PROCESSOR
The ProView 7000 from Harmonic is a receiver and stream processing platform that combines a scalable video receiver, DVB descrambler, multiformat decoder, and MPEG stream processor in a single rack unit. It addresses a variety of content reception applications, such as contribution and distribution, by integrating with the company’s contribution encoders for a low-delay link; re-encoding, by decoding all formats and standards in SD and HD; digital turnaround, so cable operators can reduce operating expenses by descrambling multiple programs in a single unit; and all-IP headends, with the ProView 7000 acting as a receiver to descramble and transmit DVB-S2 satellite signals to Harmonic’s FLEX decoder blade. Price: Contact vendor. Harmonic. 800-788-1330.
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VIDEO SCALER
The AC139A Multiformat HD Video Scaler from Black Box converts different resolution formats for display in digital signage applications. The HD digital (DVI/HDMI) and analog (PC VGA/YPbPr) scaler does the job of several products, according to the company. It produces professional-grade video output for images on an LCD or other digital signage display, and it accepts PC RGB, HD Component, and DVI, scaling the signals to DVI and analog outputs at specified resolutions, from 480i to 1080p. Price: $795. Black Box. 724-746-5500.
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ENTERTAINMENT SERVER
The Kaleidescape Mini System is the company’s first product to integrate a multizone Kaleidescape System into a single component. It’s also the first to include a remote control. As easy to install as a DVD player, according to the company, the Kaleidescape Mini System is priced 40 percent below the current system, and can be expanded by adding players, servers, or other Mini systems. The Mini includes a movie zone and two additional built-in music zones to provide entertainment out of the box. Movies can be sorted by title, actor, artist, director, genre, year of release, or run time. Kaleidescape’s Movie and Music Guide Services automatically cross-reference an entertainment collection to help a user share favorites with others. Price: Mini System, $7,995; 1080p Mini Player, $1,995. Kaleidescape. 877-352-5343.
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VIDEO RECORDERS
New from Datavideo, the HDR-40 is a stand-alone HD/SD hard-disk recorder/player featuring removable 2.5-inch hard-drive enclosures. It records SD or HD in 1080i, 720p, 576i, and 480i formats over SD/HD-SDI inputs and plays via SD/HD or HDMI outputs, says the company. It’s compatible with the M2T recording format and has a front panel that includes a FireWire port to record HDV. Likewise, the HDR-50 rack-mounted HD/SD hard-disk recorder/player also features removable 2.5-inch hard-drive enclosures and records in the same video formats. Also compatible with M2T, it features balanced XLR audio inputs and a front-panel audio meter plus RS-232 and RS-422 remote control interfaces. Prices: Contact vendor. Datavideo Corp. 562-696-2324.
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DATA PROJECTORS
The P (Portable) Series, L (LCD) Series, D (Data) Series, and A (AV) Series projectors from Samsung represent a combination of technical innovations that enhance the brightness, color, and accuracy of the projected image, says the company. The family of data projectors is well suited for high-performance color and brightness with low operating noise. For mobile applications, the P400 weighs less than 2 pounds, with 150 ANSI lumens from an LED light source and standardized AV connections. The L220 and L300 work best in education or corporate environments, while the D300 and D400 use DLP technology for larger venues. The A400, A800, and A900 boast the highest picture quality of the family, according to the company. Prices: $649-$12,999. Samsung Electronics America. 800-726-7864.
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WALL CUBES
The Seventy Series from Mitsubishi comprises videowall display cubes designed for flexibility, internal processing, auto-balancing, easy setup, durability, and redundancy, according to the company. The cubes include the ability to detect a fading lamp and begin pre-heating a back-up lamp 15 seconds prior to replacement. An internal processor allows for displaying up to four windows per cube, while built-in sensors, color control, and brightness balancing systems monitor the output of each cube. A new Auto-Geometry function is designed to provide mechanical adjustments to each cube for easy setup, and the company says the average service life of the color wheels system has doubled to as many as 100,000 hours. Price: Contact vendor. Mitsubishi Digital Electronics America. 800-769-1268.
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