AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — In a move that reaffirms its position as the leading provider of professional audio power amplifiers, HARMAN’s Crown Audio today announced the introduction of its DriveCore Install (DCi) Series power amplifiers. Successor to the company’s acclaimed CTs Series, the new DCi Analog stereo and multichannel amplifiers incorporate a host of improvements including HARMAN’s exclusive DriveCore™ technology to set new industry standards in reliability, sound quality, flexibility and efficiency.

Twelve models in the DCi Series are available ranging from 300 watts to 600 watts (into 4 and 8 ohms and 70Vrms and 100Vrms). The first number in the model is the amount of channels and the second number indicates the watts-per-channel power rating. All amplifiers are just 2U rack spaces high, to conserve valuable installation space.

“In introducing the DCi Series we had to exceed the benchmarks set by our acclaimed CTs Series, which has established itself as the de facto amplifier standard for installed sound applications,� said Daniel Saenz, Business Segment Manager, Install Sound, Crown. “It was no easy task, but our new DCi Series offers an entirely new level of unsurpassed performance that will be appreciated by audio professionals worldwide.�

At the heart of the DCi Series is HARMAN’s proprietary DriveCore amplifier IC chip. The DriveCore chip combines the amplifier driver stage into the power output stage along with additional audio-signal functions – yet is about the size of a postage stamp. DriveCore and the DCi Series’ leading-edge amplifier topologies dramatically reduce size and power consumption requirements and yield much more energy-efficient operation that conforms to HARMAN International’s GreenEdge™ environmental initiative.

DriveCore technology dramatically reduces the footprint of the amplifier by replacing over 500 parts from a typical amplifier design with one single IC. Smaller amplifier engines means more channels can be put into a 2 RU box with more capabilities.

Crown DCi Series amplifiers can be operated into 8-, 4- or 2-ohm loads and offer direct drive “constant voltage� capabilities for 70Vrms and 100Vrms amplification without the need for a step-up transformer, yielding higher audio quality in distributed audio applications. The amplifiers incorporate an exclusive Power Factor Corrected Global Power Supply that is designed to deliver maximum power in any country and their universal AC input accepts voltages from 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60Hz (+/- 10%).

The DCi Series is Crown’s greenest amplifier line ever, with a Power Factor Corrected (PFC) power supply, a selectable powersave auto-standby mode where the amplifier will power down after 30 minutes of no input signal and consume less than 1 watt. In addition to the amplifiers’ balanced 3-pin input connectors and 2-pin terminal strip output connectors, a rear-panel AUX port enables the amplifiers to be integrated into control systems for remote on/off and amplifier fault monitoring.

Crown DCi Series amplifiers are built for the most demanding conditions of continuous professional use and carry a 3-year, no-fault fully transferrable warranty.

Crown DCi Series amplifiers will be available in Spring 2013.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets – supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon and Mark Levinson. The company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 20 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported sales of $4.4 billion for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012.

Suwanee, Georgia, February 6, 2013 —With Valentine’s Day just around the corner it’s a great time to kick home entertainment up a notch with the latest in movies, sports and apps to enjoy together with that special someone. Starting below $100 and available from both online and brick-and-mortar retailers, Hisense offers a range of exciting, innovative technologies that couple great value with aesthetic design.

The Hisense Pulse set-top-box with Google TV is the perfect TV upgrade for less than $100. Connecting to any television with an HDMI input, the Pulse enables the richest web, search, apps and TV content experience available today. Delivering true plug-and-play versatility with easy set-up and WiFi connectivity right out of the box, the Pulse delivers TV-optimized versions of the Chrome search engine, Google Play, as well as direct access to Netflix and Vudu Movies. Available exclusively at Amazon.com, the Pulse is the perfect way to find romantic comedies (and more) for Valentine’s Day.

For a bigger upgrade, Hisense offers a selection of affordable and innovative televisions complete with all of the latest 3D and Smart TV features to put a smile on any movie buff’s face. Delivering an immersive and cinematic experience right at home, a 3D TV is the ideal gift for action, comedy and science fiction fans. Hisense Smart TVs allow endless entertainment from a host of content providers such as Netflix, Vudu Movies and YouTube, in addition to apps for Facebook, Twitter and other popular social media platforms. Hisense televisions are available at retailers including Walmart and HHGregg, and online at Amazon.com.

“Valentine’s Day can be so much more than just chocolates and flowers,� said Peter Erdman, Vice President of Consumer Electronics, Hisense USA. “Giving someone a Hisense TV or a Pulse set-top-box not only make the day more memorable, it’s also a fantastic way to upgrade the home to the latest entertainment experience on any budget.�

For more information about the range of Hisense products, visit www.hisense-usa.com.

About Hisense USA Corporation
Established in 2001, Hisense USA Corporation is a Georgia based subsidiary of the Hisense Company Ltd., headquartered in Qingdao, China. Hisense USA offers a broad range of highly affordable consumer electronics products in the North American market, including televisions, refrigerators, air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, beverage coolers and freezers. In 2010 Hisense established an R&D center in Georgia to enable localized product development and innovation.

Hisense USA sells into retailers across North America, including hhgregg, Best Buy, Walmart, Costco.com, Canadian Tire and more. Around the world, Hisense has production bases in South Africa, Algeria, Egypt and sales offices in the USA, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Hisense products are exported to over 130 countries and regions throughout the world.

Editorial contact:
Mark Chisholm (Definition Branding & Marketing): +1-(503) 715-0990 ext. 29 mark.chisholm@definitionbam.com

NORTHRIDGE, California – Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States for a second term on January 21, 2013 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. As it has since 1996, Maryland Sound provided the main PA system for the inauguration, relying on a combination of HARMAN’s JBL VTX and VERTEC® line arrays, Crown amplifiers and Soundcraft digital consoles to provide clear sound quality to the over 1,000,000 people in attendance.

The ceremonial program, which included President Obama’s oath of office and his inaugural address, took place on the Capitol grounds, and also included music from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and the fifth grade chorus from P.S. 22 on Staten Island. The program also featured performances by James Taylor (“America the Beautiful�), Kelly Clarkson (“My Country, ‘Tis of Thee�) and Beyonce (“The Star-Spangled Banner�).

At the Capitol, Maryland Sound provided an assortment of JBL VP7315, VP7215, Control 25AV and AE Series AC28/95 loudspeakers. For the massive audience that filled the Capitol Grounds and National Mall, Maryland Sound deployed 12 of its custom-built line array towers, each featuring 16 VERTEC VT4889 fullsize line array elements. Crown ITHD12000 amplifiers powered the system.

The program culminated with the Inaugural Parade, following President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and their families for 1.2 miles until they reached Lafayette Park. Maryland Sound supported the main parade route with nine loudspeaker towers, each ranging from 10 to 12 VERTEC VT4889 fullsize line array elements, powered by Crown ITHD12000 amplifiers, with Soundcraft Si Compact 24 digital consoles.

At Lafayette Park, Maryland Sound erected two towers each containing four hangs of eight JBL VTX V25 fullsize line array elements. Crown ITHD12000 amplifiers powered the audio, which was mixed with a Soundcraft Si Compact 24 digital console.

Audio at the Presidential viewing stand outside the White House featured 25 JBL Control 25 loudspeakers, powered by Crown ITHD12000 amplifiers.

The entire system was configured using JBL HiQnet Performance Managerâ„¢ software.

“It is always an honor to provide the audio system for the Presidential Inauguration and the challenge is always to provide the best audio quality possible while giving consideration to the sightlines of the crowd at the Capitol and National Mall,� said Bob Goldstein, President of Maryland Sound. “As we always say, the audience matters, and never is that clearer than at the Inauguration. JBL’s VTX and VERTEC line arrays, along with Crown amplifiers and Soundcraft consoles, once again played a crucial role in making this event a success.�

For more information on Maryland Sound, please visit www.marylandsound.com

HARMAN (www.HARMAN.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

CENTURION, South Africa — Award-winning South African front of house engineer, Marius Marais, has long been a fan of HARMAN’s Studer and Soundcraft mixing consoles. Recently, he has increased his inventory considerably, adding a Studer Vista 5 SR, a Soundcraft Vi1 and Si Compact (with optical card)—all supplied by HARMAN Professional’s South African distributor, Wild & Marr.

Marais’ CV boasts many accolades for which precision audio engineering excellence was a prerequisite, including “SA Idols�—and he has also been associated with the South African Music Awards (SAMA), the 2010 FIFA World Cup and other high-profile events. The Vista 5 SR solution had been proposed by Wild & Marr and debuted on a “Starlight Classics� show.

“When the Vista 5 SR first arrived in South Africa Wild & Marr immediately contacted me, knowing that the console would fit right in with the jobs I needed to do,� Marais said. “It was a no-brainer. After that I added the Vi1 and Si Compact 32 to my inventory.�

Soundcraft and Studer flagship consoles have supercharged Marius’ evolving large-scale productions. “An orchestra plays as one unit, so if you have a good microphone, preamp and PA system, you should not have to change the sound with lots of EQ. That’s what the Soundcraft and Studer consoles give me—warm uncoloured sound. The Vistonics™ on the Vista and the preamps are, in my opinion, what makes the console so unique.�

The sound engineer’s induction to the Soundcraft family took place way back, with the launch of the Spirit Live 4, when the Freestate Performing Arts Council bought one to use on a township outreach arts programme. When Marais joined audio rental company Sound Stylists in 1997, he worked on a Soundcraft SM12 (“still one of my favourite analogue consoles�) and later a Soundcraft Series 5 and Series 5M. “They were groundbreaking consoles, especially the 5M,� Marais remembered. “The one thing that has always stood out about the Soundcraft products for me was how easy they are to operate. They are quick, functional and very well laid out.�

Marius joined Matrix Sound in 2004, which became the first South African company to invest in a Soundcraft Vi6. “I fell in love with the Vi6 on the first gig,� he said. “The smooth, warm sounding preamps were what first drew my attention—the features are unparalleled. From there it was my desk of choice for all the shows that required a large format console.�

By 2009, Marais had formed his own company, Audio Logic, with Wild & Marr providing an Si3 which he used as a sidecar (alongside the Vi6) for big orchestra shows involving the giant Afrikaans music production, “Skouspel� (which translates to “Spectacular�). This included a 64-piece orchestra, a 6-piece rhythm section, a guest band of various sizes and huge numbers of vocalists.

“That was the main reason for acquiring the new Vista 5 SR,� said Marais. “With a correctly set-up PA, the desks sound just amazing. With a Vi6 as a sub mix for the orchestra, I used a total of 184 channels on the Studer. With the snapshot and cue function, even a large-scale production like this was not as difficult as it used to be. The open platform provides the perfect environment to design and execute any size production.�

Summing up, the Audio Logic man said he is delighted with the investments made in the Soundcraft and Studer platforms. “With the brilliant service I receive from Wild & Marr, I can only see a growing relationship. As far as my clients are concerned, they just want good audio, and with the right tools, half the job is done.�

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,900 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — Launching at ISE, the compact all-in-one Studer Vista 1 console is now available in an even more compact 22-fader version, measuring just over 1 metre in width, and perfectly suited to small spaces such as found in OB vans. For smaller vans where the audio console fits into the cab area, the Vista 1 provides a comprehensive solution requiring no additional racks, including integral I/O, DSP and surround sound management including up and down-mixing. The low weight advantages of the new desk are immediately obvious.

The Vista 1 is based largely on the Vista 5, so existing Vista users will be immediately familiar with all the functionality of the Vistonicsâ„¢ user interface plus features such as true broadcast monitoring, talkback, red light control, GPIO, N-x (Mix Minus) busses, snapshot automation and DAW control.

With an integral DSP engine of 96 channels, the Vista 1 can handle mono, stereo and 5.1 inputs with ease, and is provided with 32 mic/line inputs, 16 line outputs and four pairs of AES inputs and outputs on rear panel connections.

I/O can be expanded using the standard Studer D21m card slot on the rear, to allow MADI, AES, AoIP, ADAT, TDIF, CobraNet, Dolby E/Digital, SDI connections etc. A MADI link can connect to any of the Studer Stagebox range for XLR connectivity as well as other formats.

New to the Vista 1 is an integral jingle player, played from audio files on a USB jingle stick (such as station ID or background FX), and triggered by a series of eight dedicated keys in the master section.

The Studer Vista 1 also features a redundant PSU for peace of mind, and RELINK integration with other Studer Vista and OnAir consoles means the Vista 1 can easily share signals across an entire console network.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,900 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – Underscoring its ability to provide the ideal solution for any live sound, conference or recording application, HARMAN’s AKG introduces a new line of tabletop microphone stands for all environments. The ST6 houses all AKG XLR-based mics, CGN321STS and CGN521STS and their programmable switch cater to gooseneck mics and STS DAM+ provides a base for DAM+ gooseneck modules and CS321/521 goosenecks.

ST6 is a heavy-duty table stand and due to its weight, absorbs shock and holds XLR microphones stable. Its internal cabling is well isolated to withstand EMC disturbances, including mobile phone frequencies.

The heavy-duty CGN321STS also keeps the microphones stable, while absorbing any shock. Its slim and elegant 30cm gooseneck holds a professional condenser capsule with cardioid polar pattern of 120 degrees. The switch is extremely rugged – put through more than 25,000 switching cycles in testing – and can be programmed for push-to-talk, push-to-mute, on/off or low cut on/off. An LED light square provides the user with the microphone’s status.

STS DAM+ features the same functions as CGN321STS, but is compatible with 4-pin DAM+ connector openings. This opens the possibility for numerous microphones, from the lower-end, cost-effective to studio quality models.

“AKG’s newest microphone stands provide a reliable base for all users, whether at a conference table or in the studio,� stated Thomas Giczy, Business Development Manager, Installed Sound, AKG. “The rugged build, combined with the quality and reputation of AKG over the past 65 years shows the full spectrum of our features and our ability to offer the best in sound reinforcement technology in the industry.�

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.HARMAN.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – Adding to its family of microphone mixers, AKG proudly introduces its new line of digital automatic microphone mixers: DMM6 and DMM12. With an intuitive user interface, numerous DSP functions and high signal to noise ratio (S/N), the DMM series provides users with the highest quality in automatic mixing technology.

DMM12 offers 12 inputs, while easily adjusting the mic to line level. Its four line outputs (2x stereo) are individually assignable for each input. The stereo record outputs are individually assignable, while the headphone out port allows users to listen to each input and output individually.

DMM6 offers six inputs and two line outputs at 1x stereo.

When in use, all inputs are active, but attenuated to a level that equals the level of one “active microphone.� If two or more inputs receive relevant input signals, their amplification is increased to a level, which allows overall output to equal one “active microphone,� resulting in an absolute feedback-stable system.

Working to deter noise pickup, the DMM series senses numerous sonic activities to monitor and diminish unwanted sound. If a signal is picked up over a long period of time, the mixers understand that it may be an air conditioning unit or other unavoidable noise. When a large number of microphones pick up the same signal and all mics are active, the DMM system will recognize applause and not react. When two microphones are receiving the same signal, the mic with the slightly higher level gets priority, while the other one is attenuated.

“AKG understands the needs of the live sound professional and the updates to our line of rackable mixers underscores our goal of providing high-quality, reliable sound in all performance spaces,� stated Thomas Giczy, Business development Manager, Installed Sound, AKG. “DMM6 and DMM12 embody the technological advancements AKG delivered with its original analog 8-channel auto mixer, AS8 and its digital predecessors DMM4/2/4. DMM12 and 6 will be a tactical addition to any installed sound system to ensure proper sound.�

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.HARMAN.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

CHULA VISTA, California, February 5, 2013 — Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division, Business Solutions Group today announced that Hitachi has been named the top-rated projector brand for dealers serving the professional market in a survey conducted by Pacific Media Associates (PMA). Hitachi earned the number-one ranking based on its overall composite rating in the 15th survey of North American projector dealers conducted by PMA, the worldwide market information experts on front projectors.

The survey took place in November and December 2012 and asked dealers to rate 21 aspects of marketing support, product attributes and after-sale support. Quality and reliability were rated to be the most important factors for dealers when choosing a projector manufacturer.

“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as the top projector brand in the professional market by PMA’s survey,� said Darla Achey, Marketing Manager, Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division, Business Solutions Group. “It’s especially important to us because the rating reflects the opinion of dealers who have hands-on experience with every brand of projector in the field and know how they perform in the real world where the rubber meets the road.�

In addition to receiving the top overall composite manufacturer rating, Hitachi earned the number-one scores in the top five sub-composite rankings for Marketing Support, Products and After-Sale Support and the number-one score in the Top Five Rankings for Leading Overall Attributes in the Return/Repair Programs category.

For more information on Hitachi visit www.hitachi-america.us/digitalmedia

Follow Hitachi on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hitachi-Projectors/131067323636829

Follow Hitachi on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/HALProjectors

About Hitachi America, Ltd.
Hitachi America, Ltd., headquartered in Tarrytown, New York, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., and its subsidiary companies offer a broad range of electronics, power and industrial equipment and services, automotive products and consumer electronics with operations throughout the Americas. For more information, visit www.hitachi-america.us. For information on other Hitachi Group companies in the United States, please visit www.hitachi.us.

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2011 (ended March 31, 2012) consolidated revenues totaled 9,665 billion yen ($117.8 billion). Hitachi will focus more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, environmental, industrial and transportation systems, and social and urban systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s website at http://www.hitachi.com.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – Underscoring its reputation for quality and reliability in all aspects of sound, HARMAN’s AKG introduces the Discussion System CS3 – the modern, elegant, modular system offers a wide variety of different gooseneck microphone options that can be expanded up to 120 units. With a demand for a more simple solution stemming from AKG’s high-end CS5, CS3 provides users with a plug-and-play, easy-to-use professional system.

The CS3 BU is a 19-inch 2HE transmitting interface device, which controls up to 60 delegate stations. The base station can “work alone� or be remotely controlled by a PC (a feature that will be implemented later in 2013). Multiple working modes enable free or controlled speech as needed during a conference. The base unit is equipped with an extension plug to double the system size with an additional CS3 BU.

CS3 CU (chairman unit) is the system’s microphone station, with options to mute all other delegates and activate the “next in line� feature. The station has a detachable condenser cardioid microphone, available in two lengths – CS321 at 30cm and CS521 at 50cm. The station provides a built-in speaker and two 3.5mm stereo jacks for headphones.

The Delegate units, CS3DU 30 and CS3DU 50 have the same basic features, without the priority and next in line function.

“Over the years, we’ve had phenomenal success in CS5 installations across the globe,� stated Thomas Giczy, Business Development Manager, Tour Sound, AKG. “The CS3 system provides the smaller venues with an affordable and reliable conferencing system, with the promise of quality and robust audio ability. CS3 has been tested with great attention to detail and will surely be a focus point as smaller companies revamp their conferencing needs.�

For more information about AKG, please visit http://www.akg.com and http://www.youtube.com/AKGacoustics.

HARMAN (www.HARMAN.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,400 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for the twelve months ending June 30, 2012.

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — For the past two months the University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus) has been welcoming English speaking students to a new, €53 million campus, offering not only premium British higher education but also a technological breakthrough in the way in which they can engage with the digital teaching methods. A complete HARMAN audio system is at the center of the new facility with components from BSS Audio, Crown, JBL and Soundcraft.

Situated on a 40-acre site in Pyla near Larnaka, the integrated AV infrastructure borders on the miraculous, not only for the implementation of an advanced Learning Information Systems (LIS) network but the speed with which local AV specialist (and HARMAN Professional distributor) ALA Equipment Co. Ltd. was able to redesign the original topology to provide a more future proof solution, after being brought in at the last minute.

In fact, ALA carried out full turnkey planning and delivery of the €700,000 AV contract on the 8,000-square-meter campus in just the final three weeks of a fast track build time that was itself accomplished in only 180 days.

The scope of work included equipping 15 single and double facing classrooms (in the first phase) with cutting-edge AV, as a precursor to a further 30 that will follow. The other major challenge was to fit out a 310-seat lecture theater that had to double as a 5.1 cinema; it was here that ALA proposed a theater-spec technical solution, including JBL SRX712M and SRX718S which provides the 5.1 surround sound, powered by Crown CTs amplifiers. At front of house, a Soundcraft Vi1 digital mixing console has been specified to provide advanced, but easy-to-navigate mixing for the technical staff.

Management of the theater I/O’s is via four BSS Audio Soundweb London BLU-160 processors using BLU link, BSS Audio’s proprietary network transport. Based on Gigabit Ethernet technology, BLU link carries 256 channels of fault-tolerant, low-latency audio at 48kHz/24bit, or 128 channels at 96kHz/24bit across a standard CAT5e connection—and thus provides an elegant and economical cabling solution. The whole network is on a Gigabit backbone, accessed via an HP Procurve network switch (100Mb 8 Port).

At the same time, ALA’s generous tie line provision (along with SDI/3G video networked feeds) ensures that OB trucks can operate at the venue.

Elsewhere in the foyer, where a sophisticated media display provides looped promotional footage while doubling as a relay screen from the lecture theater, sound reinforcement is provided by four JBL CBT 50LA column speakers, powered by Crown CTs amplifiers and controlled by dbx DriveRack 260 processors. These receive feeds directly from the Soundweb London processors, as does a large induction loop system.

Meanwhile, in each of the first 15 classrooms to be equipped, the motorized front projection screen is accompanied by four JBL Control 24 ceiling speakers, powered by Crown XLS amps—allowing eight stereo inputs.

Andy Belcher, UCLan’s own AV technician, responsible for providing teaching support, was delighted with the fulfillment. “We knew how we wanted the installation—but this is far different and a lot more advanced than our original design. I have been impressed with the speed of delivery, the quality of ALA’s work and the professional way in which they supported the contract.� At the same time Floros Voniatis, Founding Partner from UCLan Cyprus’ senior management team, described the integration as “one of the most advanced and fastest constructions ever to be built in Cyprus.�

In fact, thanks to this advanced deployment, there is now the possibility of distance learning and lecture capture whereby lectures conducted 3,600 kilometers (2,237 miles) away in Preston, UK are transmitted to Pyla.

HARMAN (www.harman.com) designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment solutions for the automotive, consumer and professional markets — supported by 15 leading brands, including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon® and Mark Levinson®. The Company is admired by audiophiles across multiple generations and supports leading professional entertainers and the venues where they perform. More than 25 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems. HARMAN has a workforce of about 13,900 people across the Americas, Europe and Asia, and reported net sales of $4.4 billion for year ended June 30, 2012.