Cisco has recently launched the UGC video contest “Why I Want Cisco TelePresence�

The contest is designed to entice individuals to submit their ideas about why or how they would like to use Cisco Telepresence, a teleconference tool that Cisco promises will provide “an immersive in-person experience.� Winners in two categories, Productivity and Shaping the Future, have a chance to win $3,000 each. Winners will also receive 5 hours of Cisco TelePresence at a Cisco Location (www.ciscomeetingonus.com) to connect with colleagues, peers, friends around the globe.

How would you benefit from Cisco TelePresence? Just make a video about how teleconferencing would be useful to you and upload it to the Cisco site, which is set up for easy uploading and includes a simple pass along feature. You can also visit the site periodically to vote on your favorite videos and add commentary.

PanTech Design, a leading provider of AV system design, control system programming and module development, has announced it has expanded its operations beyond the southwest region and now offers its services to custom installation professionals nationwide.

A Crestron Authorized Independent Programmer and AMX Valued Independent Programmer, PanTech Design’s consultation, design and programming services allow custom installers to easily execute projects ranging from large, whole-house automation to pro AV, retail, mega-yachts and hospitality. By implementing a series of well-tested processes, PanTech Design eliminates valuable time associated with designing and programming a system. more

(MIDLOTHIAN, TEX.) July 22, 2009 – The Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) has announced its preliminary schedule for its 20th Anniversary Training Conference, which will be held in Nov. 18-20 in Forth Worth, Tex., at the Fort Worth Hilton. The exhibit hall will be open Nov. 18-19, and pre-conference workshops run Nov. 15-17. more

ZDF Now Boasts One of Europe’s Largest, Most Advanced Virtual Studios

BERGEN, NORWAY, July 23, 2009- Vizrt announces that ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen), one of two large public broadcasters in Germany, recently began broadcasting from two virtual studios within its new 30 million Euro broadcast complex in Mainz, Germany. With its extensive, customized complement of Viz Virtual Studio and broadcast graphics solutions from Vizrt, ZDF is now broadcasting from one of Europe’s largest, most advanced virtual studios. more

There’s an old adage in the world of entertainment that you should never work with children or animals. But for the staff at Soho-based audio post production facility The Voice And Music Company, recording child actors for the new hit pre-school TV series Waybuloo has been a delight and a revelation. more

Stage Research, Inc. has announced the launch of Sound 411, a two-day informational event designed to bring together sound professionals and students with leaders in the sound hardware and software industry. Sound 411 will be held August 12-13 at John Jay College in New York City; the event is free but pre-registration is required by visiting http://www.stageresearch.com/Sound411. more

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 2009: Peter Stengaard, a producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Denmark, now based in Los Angeles, has purchased a Bock Audio 5-ZERO-7 vocal microphone through exclusive U.S. distributor TransAudio Group in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stengaard, who includes Pussycat Dolls, Donna Summer and JC Chasez on his list of credits, also regularly works with one of the industry’s leading songwriters, Diane Warren, at her RealSongs production facility in Hollywood. more

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 2009: More than ten years in the making, the issues surrounding the building of the historic, yet thoroughly modern, Lancaster County Convention Center (LCCC) will live long in local lore. There were many delays. But the biggest holdup arose from the need to incorporate the landmark façade of Lancaster’s former Watt & Shand department store, which used to be on the National Register of Historic Places, into the plans. The delay, however, had an upside. LCCC’s comprehensive A/V system benefitted from network-ready Ashly NE8250 amplifiers, which didn’t exist when the system was originally designed! more

BUENA PARK, Calif.⎯The Yamaha Commercial Audio Training Seminars (YCATS) group will hold its two-day Digital Sound Reinforcement (DSR) 101 class on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 11 and 12 in Covington, Kentucky. Sponsored in part by Shure Microphones, the class provides complete audio system design and networking solutions and will focus on set up techniques ranging from microphones to large-scale speakers. Topics include: gain construction, attenuator settings, and SPL estimation. more

Austin, Texas, July 22, 2009 – SI (www.sicreens.com) is proud to announce that it will exhibit the new Reference Series Black Diamond™ II CURVE projection screen during the 2009 CEDIA Expo, held in Atlanta from Sept. 10-13 at the Georgia World Congress Center, booth 1137. The Black Diamond II CURVE is currently shipping.

“SI’s new CURVE Reference Fixed frame gives you the most immersive experience available,� said Ryan Gustafson, SI Screens president. “Curved screens have distinct advantages over common ‘flat’ screens, especially in installations where the throw is very short (1.6 or less) and pincushion distortion becomes an issue. With up to a 30 percent wider viewing angle, SI’s new Black Diamond II CURVE Reference Fixed frames give viewers the most immersive experience available.� more