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AV Systems
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An oasis of innovation
New products heat up AV industry at InfoComm 2005
Jul 21, 2005
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by Mark J. Pescatore
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Things really are hotter in the desert. Preliminary figures from the International Communications Industries Association showed that InfoComm 2005 broke attendance records during last month’s show in Las Vegas, NV. Its 25,240 preliminary registrations exceeded total attendance from 2004 by more than 10 percent. Registration was also up significantly for the show’s educational sessions.
The InfoComm show floor included 725 exhibitors, a 12 percent increase over last year’s show and another record. Randal A. Lemke, Ph.D., ICIA executive director, said the show reflected the fast growth of the AV industry.
Yes, there were plenty of new projectors on display — we’ll get to that next month with our annual projector chart. And sure, there were plenty of new plasmas and LCDs to choose from, too. But there was plenty more to see at InfoComm, from the latest visual presenters to new presentation software and a unique approach to digital signage.
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| The new FlipTop Touchpanel from Crestron brings touch screen convenience to flush-mount tabletop control units. |
Let’s Get Visual
While there were a number of new visual presenters on the show floor, at least two models were above the show floor. WolfVision introduced its latest ceiling visualizers, the VZ-C32 (with a 3-CCD progressive scan camera) and VZ-C12 (with a 1-CCD camera). The upgraded units feature new lenses that boast 64x zoom (16x optical plus 4x digital), increased light output, and one-touch auto focus. You can also switch between 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios, and the synchronized light field changes aspect ratio automatically when you switch your output.
Lumens showed its new PS600 visual presenter, which features a camera image that can be rotated 90, 180, and 270 degrees. The high-end unit offers 20 fps imagery with a new “automatic step-zoom” function to provide a better look at printed documents. Other features include 32-image internal storage, Compact Flash card slot for additional image storage and transfer, seamless switching between inputs, and split screen capabilities.
Targeting the education market, Samsung introduced the SDP-850. It provides 42x zoom (14x optical and 3x digital zoom), XGA resolution, and image freeze. Its free-angle head can rotate up to 270 degrees and tilt up and down up to 120 degrees. There’s also an optional lightbox (the unit includes a light attached to its arm), and an SVGA version, the SVP-5300, is also available.
On the more portable side, AVerMedia displayed the new AVerVision300i. The 4.4-pound unit offers XGA resolution, 8x digital zoom, and 15 fps imagery. Its internal memory stores 80 JPEG images, plus there’s an optional microscope adapter. The unit also has its share of “special effects,” including image freeze, night view, mirroring, and 180-degree image rotation. Plus, the AVerVision300i includes the company’s four-laser positioning pointer system for improved document placement.
Touch And Go
For classroom and conference room AV control, there was an abundance of choices at InfoComm. Talk about variety — Crestron itself introduced nine new touch panels, but the company also showcased its new FlipTop Touchpanel. It looks like any other flush-mount tabletop unit, but it opens to reveal a 3.6-inch touch screen as well as AC power and computer connections. (Two microphone inputs are also available below the table surface.) The color panel can be customized to control a variety of AV components, such as lights, screens, and DVD players, and 10 programmable push buttons surround the screen.
Need something a bit less complicated? The latest addition to Crestron’s MediaManager line, iMedia, could be the answer. Available in three models (flip-top, table mount, or wall plate), it provides AV inputs for a single computer, as well as volume control. You can’t hit the wrong source button — there’s only one button!
AMX got attendees excited about light switches. Of course, the new Mio Modero Series of keypads control more than just the lights, and are available variety of colors and styles, as well as in single and double gang configurations. The Mio Modero Classic provides solid, engraved buttons, while the Prestige features clear buttons that can be custom labeled. The Elite offer 11 color options and optional LCD display, as well as a “people sensor” that lights up the LCD only when a person reaches for the controls. And the Attaché model provides a tabletop solution. Plus, you can create keypad designs using online software.
If you prefer your control panels with video and graphics, AMX also introduced a new addition to the Modero Touch Panel family. A new 10-inch model, available in tabletop or wall mount versions, offers a 16:9 screen, a built-in sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the display based on the amount of light in the room, and optional wireless capability.
All About Appearances
After years in the photo industry, Photodex has brought its technology to the presentation marketplace with PreShow Producer. The presentation creation software features an intuitive GUI for DVD authoring, streaming presentations, live presentations, and more. Features include an integrated browser so it’s easy to add content, plus motion effects for still images, audio control, presentation templates, and precise timing control.
For PowerPoint users, Serious Magic introduced Ovation, a companion software program designed to bring some professional polish to your presentations. The program adds subtle motion to static slides, plus 3-D transitions and animated welcome, intermission, and closing sequences. The TimeKeeper function provides a color-coded visual cue that helps you stay on time, while its Presentation Assist provides a prompter feature during the presentation. Plus, its Deeper function lets you attach hidden slides that you can access in case you need to provide more detail about a specific item.
Finally, Gyricon introduced a new addition to its SyncroSign family, SyncroSign Messenger. It’s a battery-powered, nine-inch display that can display black-and-white text, logos, and line art. It has a retractable base, so it can be wall-mounted or placed on a tabletop. The cool thing about its SmartPaper “electronic paper” technology is that it only needs power when you change the information, so your “C” batteries can last a long time. Plus, you can update your information via Ethernet or through wireless connectivity. This could be an economical way to integrate digital signage into your facility.
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