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AV Systems
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HD leads long list of innovations at InfoComm
Aug 22, 2006
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by Mark J. Pescatore
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High definition has come to the AV industry.
There was plenty to see at InfoComm 2006 when it took over the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, in early June. The annual show boasted more than 26,000 attendees and 770 exhibitors, both new highs.
Amid the new plasmas (Panasonic had the biggest this year at 103 inches), control interfaces (Crestron showed a handheld WiFi touch panel), and other advances, arguably the most striking trend at InfoComm was the sudden emergence of HD as a viable goal for AV applications. It wasn't that long ago that real-time videoconferencing or streaming was enough to impress. But the bar has officially been raised.
Sony, for example, spotlighted its new HD video over IP solution. The system includes a PCS-HG90 codec and PCSA-CHG90 PTZ camera, and uses Sony's established IPELA technology. Meanwhile, Advanced Media Design announced additions to its MediaPOINTE digital media recorder line, including the DMR210, which can record and stream HD video. Also, Polycom's new Readi Streaming Server 2000 records, archives, and streams H.323 playback of HD videoconferencing content.
Another example of the HD boom comes from Grass Valley, which introduced its Ignite HDC Robotic Camera System. Larger than a typical unmanned camera, it features 14-bit digital signal processing and three 2/3-inch CCDs, plus it supports a variety of 720p and 1080i frame rates. Also available is an upgraded SHOT Director, which lets you control up to 16 cameras from one control panel. It includes joystick and rotary controls for pan, tilt, zoom, focus, iris, and more, plus it offers movement presets.
Further, Grass Valley showcased its new Indigo AV Mixer at InfoComm. Designed for the AV marketplace, it accepts SD and HD video and audio inputs and includes seamless technology for internal scaling and mixing of various source types. With functionality similar to a broadcast production switcher, it offers an interface to drive Grass Valley Turbo digital disk recorders, as well as a built-in audio mixer with audio-follow-video technology and other features.
Yes, HD is an ego thing for some corporate executives, but some applications such as telemedicine can benefit from improved resolution. And when these types of systems begin to appear in entertainment venues and houses of worship in the near future, will schools and other government facilities be far behind?
Project And Present
While HD made a big splash, plenty of other tools continued to make waves. As we discussed in our InfoComm Preview (see Government Video, May 2006), native widescreen projectors are no longer a novelty. Boxlight, for example, introduced its Broadview projector at InfoComm. The portable projector weighs less than five pounds, but offers 2600 ANSI lumens and WXGA resolution.
The other small news in the projector industry was LED projectors. More of a curiosity than a product category at last year's show (see Government Video, July 2005), research firm Pacific Media Associates continues to see a bright future for these units, despite their relatively low lumen output. In fact, they expect $15 million in revenues this year, building to more than $500 million by 2010.
Mitsubishi introduced its second generation of its PocketProjector at InfoComm 2006. The lightweight PK-20 boasts improved brightness and a new SD card reader for photo projection. Boxlight also created its own share of buzz with its new BumbleBee LED projector.
ELMO introduced a portable projector, the TT-02. Called the "Teacher's Tool," it weighs less than six pounds but offers XGA resolution, 20 fps, auto focus, and 5.3x optical zoom (with 8x digital zoom). The unit's camera can be rotated to line up with a microscope eyepiece without coupling devices, and its unique arm makes it easy to maneuver the camera. Plus, a removable stage doubles as a writing tablet; magnetic strips can hold photos or papers in place while teachers annotate around them.
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| The Grass Valley Indigo, a switcher designed to handle multiple audio and video sources for live presentations, was unveiled at InfoComm. It was one of several new products that embraces HD for the industry. |
ProMax introduced its own unique portable visual presenter. The CV10 features 8x optical and 6x digital zoom, as well as auto focus and digital image freeze, rotation, and split screen. It also uses LED lighting and has a built-in backlit panel for viewing slides.
And WolfVision unveiled the second generation of its VZ-8 Visualizer series. The V-8plus(2) and VZ-8light(2) now offer USB 2.0 connectivity, improved on-screen menus, and a reflection-free working surface. The new camera head maintains the XGA signal output of earlier models and provides faster auto focus with 30 fps imagery.
Now Hear This
Of course, video is only part of the story at InfoComm. There were also a number of new audio products unveiled at the show.
beyerdynamic, for example, introduced its Revoluto Microphone Station. For use with the company's new MCS-D 200 digital conference system, Revoluto is cool because its omnidirectional pickup pattern means you don't have to stand in one place -- you can move around during your audio conference without affecting your volume or audio quality. Plus, it doesn't use a gooseneck mic, so its low-profile design is less intrusive.
ClearOne made some noise with a low-cost personal speakerphone. The new Chat 50 has full-duplex capability, so both parties can speak and hear at the same time. It connects to your laptop or PC, so you can use it for Web conferencing or other Internet telephony applications (such as Skype). It even connects to your iPod for single-speaker audio playback.
Polycom added to the audio mix with its new Polycom Communicator, a high-fidelity USB speakerphone co-branded with Skype. A full-duplex phone, it incorporates Polycom's Acoustic Clarity Technology to eliminate echoes and feedback for individuals and small groups, as well as user-friendly call function buttons.
Equipment theft prevention remains a hot topic in the AV industry. Hard Steal returned to InfoComm with its AV Projector Cage, designed to allow easy access for authorized users and create a difficult score for thieves. Available in two sizes, the unit can be adjusted to fit most ceiling-mounted projectors on the market, it fits on standard ceiling mounting hardware and offers tilt adjustment. The AV Projector Cage also offers a number of upgrades, such as a lock shield, security nuts, and wing reinforcements for improved security.
Nigel B. Design offered a unique solution as well. The new Plenum Equipment Box has enough space to store the power supply for your projector, cabling, and even Nigel B's own audio amplifiers -- more than 50 pounds of gear. The box is rated to sit above the ceiling tiles mounted to a pole or pipe (to keep equipment and cables hidden), or it can live below the ceiling tiles as well. A removable cover allows easy installation and service.
Chief Manufacturing shared a couple of new tools that emphasize projector theft prevention. The RPA Elite, an upgrade to its Elite Series of projector mounts, was heralded more for its ease of adjustment, but it also features the Q-Lock lever, which lets you detach the projector easily for maintenance but offers a variety of key choices. Chief also featured its updated PL-2 projector lock, designed as added security for its RPA Series mounts.
Making Connections
InfoComm is also about making connections; not just personal networking, but transporting information from one place to another. That's where companies like MultiDyne come in -- the company has added to its RGB-5000 family of fiber optic transport systems. The new RGB/SXGA system transports high-quality video over one singlemode or multimode fiber. The RGB-5000-SXGA provides 24-bit resolution, supports component and analog HD signals, and offers optional stereo audio.
Also extending into fiber, Extron introduced the FOX 500 Tx/RX, a transmitter and receiver set that digitizes high-resolution RGB signals (as well as audio and RS-232) and then sends uncompressed signals over a single fiber. There are two models -- the first is for short-range applications up to 450 feet, while the second provides a run of up to 18.75 miles.
Communications Specialties, Inc. brought three new fiber optic testing devices to InfoComm. Its Fiberlink Visible Light Source helps you identify fiber breaks, as well as individual fibers in a bundle. The Fiberlink Three Wavelength Light Source provides a handheld laser output at set wavelengths, while the Fiberlink Optical Power Meter can measure the power of your optical signal at the receiving end of your cable. And CSI also introduced its new Pure Digital Fiberlink 7500 Series, which provides DVI with stereo audio transmission over a single fiber for more than nine miles.
Finally, for connecting the high-end AV components in your boardroom Comprehensive launched its XHD line of eXtreme High Definition cables, which includes S-Video, composite, component, VGA, DVI, and more. Using a patented design, the cables feature oxygen-free, copper-center conductors and double-shielding.
MORE INFO
AMD mediapointe.com
Belden belden.com
beyerdynamic beyerdynamic-usa.com
Boxlight boxlight.com
Chief Manufacturing chiefmfg.com
Comprehensive comprehensive.com
Crestron Electronics crestron.com
CSI commspecial.com
ELMO elmousa.com
Extron Electronics extron.com
Grass Valley thomsongrassvalley.com
Hard Steal hardsteal.com
Mitsubishi mitsubishi-presentations.com
MultiDyne multidyne.com
Nigel B. Design nigelbdesign.com
Panasonic panasonic.com/proplasma
PMA pacificmediaassociates.com
Polycom polycom.com
ProMax promax-tech.com
Sony sony.com/government
WolfVision wolfvision.com
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