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AV Systems
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Growth steady for AV industry
Aug 22, 2007
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by Mark J. Pescatore
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The AV market is alive and doing well. Very well, actually, based on record-high attendance at InfoComm 2007 as well as some promising research reported at the show.
More than 31,300 attendees visited the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA, in June for the event. Attendees had the opportunity to visit a record-high 855 exhibitors, and registration was up for a number of the show's educational sessions as well.
Increased interest in the AV conference and exhibition was no surprise to researchers in the know: A report that was released at InfoComm forecasts continued growth of the AV industry over the next two years. According to The AV Industry Market Definition and Strategy Study, which was conducted by Acclaro Growth Partners for InfoComm, demand for AV services has grown by more than 30 percent over the past three years.
The three largest markets for AV products and services in this $25 billion industry are the government, corporate, and education -- all fueled by a growing need for communication and collaboration. New construction and major renovation projects account for 60 percent of AV goods and services purchases.
Short Throws And Bigger HD
On the show floor, there was plenty of new technology and products to keep the industry moving forward. For example, we've seen short throw projection at work before from companies like NEC, but what Sanyo has done with its new PLC-XL50 is simply amazing. They combined a new aspherical lens with a new optical engine and some innovative mirror technology to create a projector that produces an 80-inch image from about three inches away from the wall.
Got a cramped presentation area? No longer a problem -- and you won't get blinded by crossing in front of your projected image. The 2000-lumen LCD projector weighs about 17 pounds, offers XGA resolution, and several inputs.
While the PLC-XL50 was the belle of the ball, Sanyo also introduced two other projectors that are worth a mention. The first, the PLC-XF47, is a large venue projector that uses four lamps to deliver 15,000 lumens, and you can choose between 12 different lenses to adjust for room and screen size. Plus, its built-in wireless system can support video data rates of up to 1.5 Gbps, so HD is no problem. On the portable side, the PLC-XP100L offers 6500 lumens in a 26-pound projector. The single-lamp unit offers 10-bit processing and a unique filter system for reduced maintenance.
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| InfoComm 2007 attracted 855 exhibitors and more than 31,300 attendees to the Anaheim Convention Center in June. |
3M Visual Systems is also no stranger to short throw products, with products including the Digital Wall Display Plus with integrated dry erase board and projector. At InfoComm, 3M Visual Systems announced its Digital Media System 800, a wall-mounted projector with an adjustable arm that produces a range of image sizes up to 85 inches. The DLP projector offers 1500 lumens and native XGA resolution, as well as a 40-watt sound system. Plus, the 815 model adds interactive whiteboard capabilities to almost any wall surface with the addition of an integrated sensor pod and presentation pen.
Beyond offerings from Sanyo and 3M, there were plenty of new projectors at InfoComm. To make HD projectors produce even bigger pictures, Navitar presented its new HD ScreenStar lenses. The 0.8x and 0.65x wide angle conversion lenses increase the image size from an HD projector by 25 and 50 percent, respectively. Compatible with LCD, DLP, LCOS, and DILA projectors, the lenses have been engineered to minimize light loss and distortion.
High Resolution And Audio Pulses
For command and control and other applications, Planar Systems unveiled two new lines of its Clarity rear-projection DLP displays. The RX model offers XGA resolution, while the RP offers SXGA resolution. Both lines offer 50-inch and 67-inch models, as well as Planar's "Set It and Forget It" technology for automatic color and brightness control. Other features include front and rear access for easy service and optional dual-lamp operation for mission critical applications.
Lumens integrated SXGA resolution into its portable visual presenter. The DC160 visual presenter weighs less than five pounds and features separate, flexible goosenecks for the lamp head and camera lens. The document camera offers 3x optical zoom and auto focus. Internal memory lets you save 48 images, plus it has a split screen feature.
On the audio side, Audio-Technica unveiled its SpectraPulse wireless microphone system, ideal for boardrooms, courtrooms, and events. With is new Ultra Wideband technology, it avoids the use of the often congested RF spectrum. Instead, it transmits audio via a series of short pulses within the 6 GHz frequency spectrum.
The system uses the mtu101 microphone transmitter unit in a boundary mic design with a programmable switch so you can push-to-talk, push-to-mute, or toggle. There's also a receiver module with integrated UWB antenna, a 1 RU audio control interface that demultiplexes up to seven channels (combine two for up to 14-mic setups), and a charger encryption interface that can charge up to seven mtu101s and provide 128-bit encryption (with optional software).
New Furniture And Loud Noises
InfoComm is always a showcase for new AV furniture, carts, and mounts. VFI, for example, used the occasion to show off its new line of metal racks and enclosures, as well as new podiums and multimedia stands.
Premier Mounts showcased its PSD-BW mobile floor stand for flat-panel monitors, which was introduced earlier this year at NAB2007. What makes it unique is its "nesting" design -- similar to the way you store shopping carts, you can line up multiple stands close together and maximize storage space. It also features locking/non-locking casters and cable management inside the stand poles.
And Peerless Industries introduced its PRG Precision Gear Projector Mount at the show. The low-profile unit with built-in cable management lets you adjust image positioning (tilt and roll) by turning two knobs, either with a screwdriver or by hand. It also includes Peerless' Sorted-For-You security fastener pack.
Finally, speaking of security, Nigel B. Design introduced the Limpet, a handy little security device with a built-in lithium battery for extended operating time (and less maintenance). It includes a four-foot cable that you loop around a projector or flat panel. Cut the cable or break contact and the alarm activates, a 117 dB siren that can run for up to 30 hours and can only be disabled using the unit's specialized key. It can also operate it in silent mode and can be connected to an external alarm system.
MORE INFO
3M 3m.com
Audio-Technica audio-technica.com
Lumens mylumens.com
Navitar navitar.com
NEC necdisplay.com
Nigel B. Design nigelbdesign.com
Peerless Industriess peerlessmounts.com
Planar Systems planar.com
Premier Mounts premieremounts.com
Sanyo sanyo.lcd.com
VFI video-furn.com
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